CHIEF Minister Chow Kon Yeow brought pleasant news to the blind fraternity when he pledged to give RM10,000 each to the Society of the Blind Malaysia (SBM) and the Society of the Blind Malaysia Penang branch after joining them for almost a 3km fun walk.
His announcement of the gift from the Penang government to the two bodies during his speech to about 500 participants at the International White Cane Day (National Level) celebration and volunteers at the Dewan Sri Pinang today was greeted with a loud applause.
Indeed, it caught SBM president Mohammed Nazari Othman by surprise. Mohammed Nazari, had in his speech, asked Chow to see if he could do ‘something’ for the Penang branch during the coming Budget next month.
“I am taken aback when YAB Chow not only announced the donation for the Penang body but also for the national body. This is the first time the Penang government is giving a donation to the national body. That’s very generous of him. The sum will be used for the benefit of our members,” Mohammed Nazari said.
Mohammed Nazari said the fact that the chief minister joined the walk, which started from the compound of Dewan Sri Pinang to the promenade near Fort Cornwallis, Little India and the Penang court complex, before returning to Dewan Sri Pinang, showed that the state government gave their full support to the cause of the blind society.
The participants from all the states in Malaysia, who were led by a kompang troupe, took about 40 minutes to complete the event. Clad in yellow T-shirts, which were sponsored by Wayee Group Sdn Bhd, they were in joyous mood as some blew their whistles or sang along the way.
Mohammed Nazari complimented the state government, especially for making Pulau Tikus a ‘tip top’ place where accessibility for the blind is concerned.
“We’re serious in caring for the blind. That’s why this is our 10th edition of the walk to help raise awareness of the needs of the blind,” Mohammed Nazari added.
He also said the walk was also to encourage the spirit of volunteerism. For that, he praised the volunteers from Mahadul Azhar from Kepala Batas and students from USM for helping out in the event.
Speaking to the press later, Mohammed Nazari highlighted that Penang was also first state to appoint a member of the blind to serve among the councillors at the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP).
Chow said the Penang government noted the concerns or problems of the blind seriously whenever they raised any issue.
“The state government and the two councils will continue to improve accessibility and mobility for the disabled, including the blind,” Chow said.
“For the past 10 years, we have been giving some provision to the blind society. We have widened pedestrian walkways and covered up the drains.
“We will expand to other areas, and not just improve the Pulau Tikus area. It’s a long-term programme.”
Chow said there are plans by St Nicholas Home to expand in Seberang Perai, which would also help to cater to the needs of the the visually impaired from Kedah and northern Perak.
Also present at the event were state Welfare Department director Shaballah Zainal Abidin, National Council for the Blind Malaysia representative Wong Yoon Loong and SBM Penang branch chairman Mohd Rodzi Ariffin.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi
Video by Alvie Cheng