General News

No Statistics On Mentally Disabled - Chew

The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry has no statistics on the mentally disabled according to various states, Dewan Rakyat was told Wednesday.

Deputy Minister Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun said this was because the mental category was only approved by the government on May 27.

"Together with the Health Ministry, we had set up the Bukit Tunku Day Care Centre which to run rehabilitation, therapeutic and prevention programmes to fit them back into society," she said when replying to a question by Datuk Dr Tekhee@Tiki Lafe (BN-MasGading) on the number of mentally disabled and efforts by the government and non-governmental organisations (NGO) to make them self reliant.

Chew said activities held at the centre include light exercises, painting, hydroponics crop cultivation and handicraft classes.

"Two NGOs, the Malaysian Mental Health Association in Selangor and the Spirit Uplifting Association in Perak are helping us. They receive annual grants from the Welfare Services Department."

Chew said the ministry would brief coordinators for the disabled on registration of the new categories namely vision, hearing, physical, learning, speaking and mental.

Replying to a supplementary question by Fong Po Kuan (DAP-Batu Gajah) on the recruitment of disabled in the public sector, she said it did not reach one percent.

"We will continue to review acts under the ministry when there is a need for changes," she said.

BERNAMA

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Country: Malaysia
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When: 25/11/2009