Letter: We Deserve OKU Leaders Who Stand with Us, Not against Our Collective Voice

Letter Content

YB Senator Isaiah Jacob,

We, members of the OKU community that includes OKU advocates, disability rights activists, care partners and allies, are profoundly disappointed by your recent remarks and stance in a profile interview with Malaysiakini published on 22 April 2024 — that was raised, on 1 May, for the attention of the OKU community. Our voices reflect the diversity of our lived OKU experiences and insights. Amongst us are individuals with expertise in research, advocacy, training, and policy development in sectors ranging from law, human rights, media, community building, self-empowerment, education, healthcare, and public health, to gender equality, ICT, the arts and beyond.

This is an open letter on our collective thoughts in response to issues and to views that you expressed from your formal position as a Senator in our Dewan Negara, mandated to represent the voices of the Orang Kurang Upaya (OKU) community; this is not about you as an individual.

Your persistent advocacy for the term “Specially Abled“ is poor use of the Upper House position that you occupy.

As a senator what has he done so far for the community besides talking about terminology since day one?  It does not change the fact that my son cannot attend school or get a job later.  What are the real rights of OKU in Malaysia? I plead that the Senator do more than just continuously voicing what term to label my child, when we have already widely and legally adopted Orang Kurang Upaya. This is dividing us, instead of uniting us to move forward together.

A disability rights advocate and parent to an OKU child.

The terms “disabled” or “Persons with Disabilities (PwD)” or “Orang Kurang Upaya,” are widely used following consultations between the community and the Government. On 26 June 2023, three months after your appointment as Senator, five OKU community members met with you and handed you a letter on the use of respectful and appropriate disability language. The letter had over 100 signatories with representation from more than 70 organisations. We had hoped that you would accept our substantive support for the meaningful fulfilment of your Dewan Negara mandate.

We remind you that the United Nations Disability-Inclusive Language Guidelines itself states that:

The term ‘special’ used in relation to persons with disabilities is commonly rejected, as it is considered offensive and condescending because it euphemistically stigmatizes that which is different.

The disability community and care partners internationally and in Malaysia have long moved away from the use of negative terms.  “OKU” and “persons with disabilities” or disabled persons (by those who wish to reclaim their disability identity) are the preferred and community-accepted terms.

We are truly perplexed by the Senator’s persistent countering of United Nations-endorsed terminology that is accepted internationally and contained in Malaysia’s Persons with Disabilities Act, 2008. Surely, energy and resources ought to be expended on more critical OKU rights issues, instead of dividing the community and diverting attention from core issues.

This promotion of the euphemism (“specially abled”) devalues our community’s struggles and disregards the real challenges we OKU face. It shifts the focus away from responsibility for societal change that is urgently needed for equitable OKU inclusion in all aspects of life.  We urge you to move beyond sugar-coated labels for our community. Please stop undoing the enormous work by the OKU community and efforts by your predecessor Senators.

The OKU community needs a representative leader who is open to understanding the community in the context of international and domestic OKU rights frameworks, as a basis for facilitating the resolution of its issues and uniting us in the process.

How are OKU rights advanced by using the media to express to the public your perception of the OKU community’s “lackings” when it is your mandate to bridge community-government collaboration?

You also highlighted “too many groups and societies claiming to represent the community” as a basis for the Government to “ignore us, claiming we are not united and it’s too difficult to come to an agreement on what is needed, ….”

What you perceive as a threat are responses to many unmet needs within our community with all its diversities and historical neglect by those in power. Rather than disparaging the OKU community for this, we urge you to engage with us meaningfully, to understand the breadth and depth of our experiences.

The OKU community would like you to be on the correct path. And, that path is to work together with us meaningfully. If you do not heed the voices of the grassroots and civil society organization leaders of the OKU community, you are effectively abusing your position to undo all the hard work and sacrifices of OKU activists — who mostly get neither credit nor compensation for the enormous labour that we give for advancing OKU rights.

A Deaf activist.

Your tenure has passed the halfway mark. Following your 3 April 2023 Upper House debut in Parliament, marked by all joining you in your “one minute standing on one leg” invitation, your term of office thus far has been marked by a disheartening lack of meaningful action. We also urge you to seize the opportunity of your tenure: call for affirmative and substantive actions for proactive and concrete reforms. Drop symbolic gestures for photo-ops.

OKU rights advocacy is not about superficial stunts or the deceptive comfort of euphemisms. For the common good and advancement of our community, such advocacy has to focus on the harsh realities of discrimination and systemic denial of our rights.

It is time that the Rakyat, including the OKU community, call for an audit of all government-appointed representatives of the OKU community and public office holders, to measure the impact of their terms of office on strengthening gender-equal, ageing-sensitive disability inclusion in laws and policies and meeting priority OKU community needs.

In your case, YB Senator Isaiah Jacob, please revert to the OKU community on the 5 points below, as a basis for initiating multi-ministerial collaboration for disability inclusion:

What has been accomplished in the first year of your tenure?

Which disability organisations and activists have you actively and meaningfully engaged with?

Which working groups and conferences have you attended to understand our needs (beyond officiating our community events for photo ops)?

Where do we find accessible versions of your plans for the OKU community?

How are you helping on Malaysia’s first report (due in 2012) on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities that Malaysia ratified?

Malaysia’s OKU community constitutes 16% of the population.  And, it is growing, especially with the rapid ageing of Malaysian society, the rise of chronic diseases, and increasing mental health issues. Among Malaysians aged 60 and beyond, 50.8% have functional difficulties: vision, hearing, memory and mobility issues.

The OKU community cannot afford to be side-lined by ineffective leadership and poor representation. We do not want our community to be represented by an OKU who only talks of change. To effectively represent the community, it is essential to gain a nuanced understanding of disability-gender-ageing linkages.

Our community deserves an OKU Senator who invests in understanding the historical evolution of disability rights internationally and domestically. The Senator has to be one of us who labours shoulder-to-shoulder with us to make the right real in Malaysia.

We applaud your record of Rakyat Malaysia activism against injustice and for environmental protection, with participation in protests, including by interstate walking and hunger strikes. We are proud when a member of our OKU community engages thus in mainstream activism for Malaysia.

Like you, we too are disabled. Many of us have experienced journeys similar to yours. We understand your pain. But, times have changed. Our understanding of disability and the advancement of human rights has moved forward.

We must recognise that ableism is deeply embedded in our society and our community. We need to examine this within ourselves — is it the label of “Orang Kurang Upaya” that pains us? Or, is it the stigma attached to the label that is the painful thorn?

The OKU community, and those who claim leadership over it, must be courageous. We must be willing to listen beyond our personal pain, in order for us to claim our rightful place in society, not living in the shadows of non-disabled persons, and ever trying to be “normal.”

We call for senatorial leadership that is empathetic, inclusive and decisive — one that not only values, but also amplifies, the diverse voices of the OKU community, recognising our challenges and enabling us to build on our strengths.

We need in the Senator for the OKU community a leader who walks non-ableist, non-sexist, non-ageist talk on OKU rights. A leader who strives consistently to earn the respect of the OKU community. Can you provide the leadership that we deserve?

Thank You.

This letter will be sent as our OKU community feedback on the appointment of the OKU Senator to The Right Honorable Prime Minister and Honorable Minister, Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development.

Co-Signatories

OKU, Representatives of OKU Entities, Parent Advocates, Care Partners, Family Members and Professionals in Disability Services

1.       Beatrice Leong, Autistic; Autistic Rights Advocate; Founder of AIDA (Autism Inclusiveness Direct Action Group); Documentary Filmmaker.

2.       Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS, person with dyslexia; child-disability activist; Advisor National Early Childhood Intervention Council; Advisor, National Family Support Group for Children & People with Special Needs; Member, The OKU Rights Matter Project.

3.       San Yuenwah, older person with invisible disabilities; dementia care partner; Member, The OKU Rights Matter Project; Member, Harapan OKU Law Reform Group.

4.       Ng Lai-Thin, dementia care partner and care partner to an adult sibling with intellectual disability; Project Lead, National Early Childhood Intervention Council; Member, The OKU Rights Matter Project.

5.       Anit Kaur Randhawa, parent advocate; Co-Chairperson, Bar Council Ad Hoc Committee on Persons with Disabilities for the 2024/2025 tenure; Member, The OKU Rights Matter Project; Member, Harapan OKU Law Reform Group.

6.       Meera Samanther, parent advocate; disability rights and gender equality activist; Co-Chairperson, Bar Council Ad Hoc Committee on Persons with Disabilities for the 2024/2025 tenure; former President, Association of Women Lawyers (AWL) and Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO); Executive Committee Member, AWL; Member, Harapan OKU Law Reform Group.

7.       Naziaty Mohd Yaacob (PhD), older person with multiple disabilities; dementia care partner; Member (2008-2012), National Council for Persons with Disabilities / Majlis Kebangsaan bagi Orang Kurang Upaya (MKBOKU); Associate Professor, Department of Architecture, Universiti Malaya (retired).

8.       Anthony Chong (PhD), Deaf activist; Co-Founder-Secretary, Deaf Advocacy and Wellbeing National Organisation (DAWN) / Pertubuhan Advokasi dan Kesejahteraan Pekak Malaysia.

9.       Yap Sook Yee, parent to a child with rare disease, child-disability advocate.

10.   Hasbeemasputra Abu Bakar, Disabled Disability Advocate; Rangkaian Solidariti Demokratik Pesakit Mental (SIUMAN).

11.   Yana Karim, Boleh Space Co-Founder.

12.   Ahmad Daniel Sharani, wheelchair user; Deputy President, Persatuan OKU Sentral.

13.   Aida Othman, Person with Dyslexia; EXCO of AIDA (Autism Inclusiveness Direct Action Group).

14.   Ajong Anak Sidim (LL.B), Blind retired Sime Darby employee (technical specialist, contracts on trade marks).

15.   Albert Wong, Chairman, Deaf advocate; Sarawak Society for the Deaf (SSD).

16.   Alex Teoh, Deaf person, Kedah.

17.   Allida MS, parent to a youth with Achondroplasia; rare disease advocate.

18.   Alvin Teoh, Parent of OKU Penglihatan; Parent Advocate & Advisor for National Family Support Group for Children & People with Special Needs.

19.   Amanda Lim (Master’s in Advanced Marketing), Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing advocate; care partner for adults with disabilities.

20.   Amin Zuhaili Bin Mansor, Deaf advocate; President, Negeri Sembilan Association of the Deaf (NESDA).

21.   Anita Abu Bakar, mental health and wellness advocate with lived experience of mental health issues; President and Founder, Mental Illness and Support Association Malaysia (MIASA Malaysia).

22.   Antony Leopold, double crutch user and wheelchair user; advocate for accessible tourism; owner-manager (since 2004) of a travel business on accessible tourism; President (since 2019 – present), Asia-Pacific Network on Accessible Tourism.

23.   Ayahanda Hj Ismail, Pengerusi, Kelab Kecacatan Fizikal Selangor (KKFS).

24.   Ayappan A/L Ramalingam, Deaf person; Selangor.

25.   Azhari Ibrahim, Pengerusi, Persatuan Orang Kurang Upaya Putrajaya (PROCJAYA).

26.   Azlina binti Ahmad Annuar, dementia care partner; researcher.

27.   Ch’ng B’ao Zhong, Autistic Adult.

28.   Chai Jing Yun, Autistic Adult; Member of AIDA (Autism Inclusiveness Direct Action Group).

29.   Chan Kah Khong, Deputy President, Federation School for the Deaf Ex-Pupil Association Pulau Pinang (FSDeaf).

30.   Chan Sau Yin, native Blind spouse, and mother (WP KL-based) of 3 sighted adults (professionals and a college student).

31.   Chan Shiu Sum, psychologist working with autistic and ADHD children.

32.   Dr Cheah Boon Eu, Autistic, ADHD; Medical Officer; EXCO of AIDA (Autism Inclusiveness Direct Action Group).

33.   Cheah Kean Wee, Vice-President II, Penang Deaf Association (PDA).

34.   Chen Soon Wah, newly-blind; under training (orientation and mobility, and daily living skills); Customer Service Manager (200 supervisees) until blindness.

35.   Chen Wei (PhD), senior citizen dementia care partner; retired academic; supporter of fundraising for OKU civil society organizations (CSOs).

36.   Chin Chin Tan, individual with cerebral palsy; former student of the Cerebral Palsy (Spastic) Children’s Association of Penang.

37.   Ch’ng B’ao Zhong, Autistic Adult.

38.   Chng Cheng Hui, Executive Secretary, Persatuan Orang Bermasalah Pelajaran (PERKOBP).

39.   Choo Kar Choon, Deaf person, Penang.

40.   Dr Choy Sook Kuen, Mother; Founder, Oasis Place; Kita Family Podcaster.

41.   Christine LEE Soon Kup, wheelchair user; accessible public transport advocate; Co-Founder, Barrier-free Environment and Accessible Transport (BEAT).

42.   Chua Hock Meng, Deaf father of 2 Deaf children, Kuala Lumpur.

43.   Chuah Swee Hwang, mother of Autistic son; teacher (retired).

44.   Chuan Sie Ying, Deaf person, Johor Bahru.

45.   Daniel Cheong, OKU with physical disabilities; senior citizen; professional in accountancy.

46.   Datuk (Dr) Ras Adiba Radzi, wheelchair user; President, Persatuan OKU Sentral.

47.   David Ngu Tai Giin, President, Sibu Autistic Association and parent of a child with autism.

48.   Desiree Kaur, Parent Advocate & Founder, Project Haans; Kita Family Podcaster.

49.   Dexter Nuing Lyrym anak Paong, Deaf member, SSD, Sarawak.

50.   Dunstan Soo Guan LIM, physically disabled person; advocate for OKU peer access to skills training for employment and self-employment; Chairperson, Sarawak OKU Skills Development Association (SOSDA); President, SOSDA Para Taekwondo Club.

51.   Elijah Irwin, Blind ICT user; supporter of disability-inclusive digital accessibility and OKU rights; qualified and practising dentist prior to blindness.

52.   Elijah Nathaniel Baxter, Autistic; brother to autistic adult; physiotherapist (services for older persons), Kota Kinabalu.

53.   Elizabeth Ang, polio survivor; Member, Persatuan Orang-orang Cacat Anggota Malaysia (POCAM).

54.   Ernest Teoh, person with visual impairment; university graduate (English).

55.   Esther Lim Beng Kwan, wheelchair user; lawyer (retired); trainer and peer counsellor of independent living for disabled persons.

56.   Fadzilah bt Din (PhD), Mother of autistic son.

57.   Fakhruddin Bin Zakaria, Presiden, Persatuan Pembangunan Orang Kurang Upaya Anggota Terengganu (POKUAT).

58.   Fatimah Raiyeesha, OKU in a wheelchair, OKU rights advocate through KKM and Chevening Alumni Malaysia.

59.   Feilina Feisol, parent advocate; Member (2018-2020), National Council for Persons with Disabilities / Majlis Kebangsaan bagi Orang Kurang Upaya (MKBOKU); past Chairman and present Board Member, National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM); Board Member, Ronald McDonald House of Charity (RMHC); Member, Harapan OKU.

60.   Fiona Kwok Wai Peng, Care partner of a parent with dementia, Selangor.

61.   Fiona TEH, mother of autistic son; care partner to senior citizen OKU family member.

62.   Foo Ruishan, Deaf person, Selangor.

63.   Gan Jun Qi, parent to 5 year-old child with autism diagnosis; entrepreneur.

64.   Gary Lee, Blind teacher (retired).

65.   Gejaletchumi a/p Murugaya, Deaf poet, Selangor; Member, Malaysian Sign Language and Deaf Studies Association (MyBIM).

66.   Goh Bee Hiang, Parent of OKU Penglihatan; Member, National Family Support Group for Children & People with Special Needs.

67.   Grace Ng, OKU with physical disabilities; senior citizen; engineering professional.

68.   Hasnah Toran, mother of 2 adults with autism; academic.

69.   Haymasuthan a/l Periasamy, Deaf photographer; Champion, Photography (Studio) skill category, 9th International Abilympics, France, 2016.

70.   Heng Chin Hai, Deaf citizen, Johor Bahru.

71.   Ho Lee Ching, Tourette Syndrome+; Theatre maker and dance/movement therapist.

72.   Ho Seng Fatt, Deaf person, Perak.

73.   Hoo Hwee Shan, Deaf person, Penang.

74.   Isham bin Pawan Ahmad (PhD), Father of autistic son.

75.   Jacqueline Lingham, sister to brother with Down Syndrome; Co-founder of Persatuan CHILDSabah; passionate about arts for children/PWDs.

76.   Jessica Chong, Deaf data entry clerk.

77.   Jessica Mak, Deaf advocate; President, Malaysian Sign Language and Deaf Studies Association (MyBIM) / Persatuan Bahasa Isyarat Malaysia and Pengajian Pekak.

78.   Joanna Ee, Deaf person, Selangor.

79.   Jerry Tong Kai Wei, Autistic Adult, Graphic Designer and PR Officer, Member of AIDA (Autism Inclusiveness Direct Action Group).

80.   Kaveinthran, native Blind, disabled independent human rights activist.

81.   Kevin Mak Wai Kim, Deaf member, MyBIM, Selangor.

82.   Khor Ai-Na, Chief Executive Officer, Asia Community Service, Penang.

83.   Kimberly Ngo Sau Kum, Deaf BIM instructor, RC Deaf Mission.

84.   Kung Tze Zern, President, Persatuan Orang Sukan Pekak Pulau Pinang.

85.   Lau Ek Bin, Deaf woman, Sarawak.

86.   Lauren Chin, Autistic and ADHD adult, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

87.   Law King Kiew, wheelchair user; Paralympic Athlete.

88.   Lee Khiam Jin (PhD), father to an autistic adult; Assistant Secretary to Minds Association of Penang (MAP); academician, Malaysia University of Science and Technology.

89.   Lee Nyook Loong, Deaf person, Selangor.

90.   Lee Sheng Chow, Blind Paralympic Athlete; owner-manager of Blind massage business.

91.   Lee Tur Chung, Deaf PhD candidate (in the US), Selangor.

92.   Leela Koran, dementia care partner; researcher.

93.   Leim Siew Kok, OKU Pendengaran, Perak.

94.   Leong Tze Han, Deaf person, Penang.

95.   Li Sing Puang, Deaf person, Sarawak.

96.   Lim Kah Cheng, OKU grandmother of 4; retired lawyer; Honorary Secretary of BOLD, Penang; a friend of rivers.

97.   Lim Saw Gaik, Founder and Director, Siloam House, Karak.

98.   Lim Sow Seng, polio survivor.

99.   Lim Tien Hong, Blind advocate; Advisor and Immediate Past President, Penang Independent Living Association of the Disabled (PILAD).

100.                       Loh Kon Ken, Blind advocate for the rights of Blind persons; retired from employment in university administration.

101.                       Lu Chieng Hoong, concerned citizen and parent of children with disabilities, Bintulu, Sarawak.

102.                       Lucy Tan SC, wheelchair user; senior citizen (retiree).

103.                       Luqman Hakim Mohd Khialdin, Autistic Adult; Independent Comic Artist.

104.                       Mabel Gong Siew Choo, dementia care partner; civil society organisation accounts and administration officer.

105.                       Datin Mahmuda Bibi, senior citizen with disability; family member with OKU; retired teacher.

106.                       Maizan Nordin, wheelchair user; university graduate; Member (2021-2024) of Majlis Belia Orang Kurang Upaya (MBOKU).

107.                       Margaret Chang Ai Ling, dementia care partner; retired media management executive.

108.                       Marina Tan, Adult with ADHD; Arts practitioner and writer.

109.                       Mary Chen, parent and disability rights advocate.

110.                       Marzuki Ong bin Maliki Ong, Deaf advocate; Advisor, Sabah Deaf Muslim Association (DMSabah).

111.                       Matthew Oswaldo Velazque, Deaf person, Selangor.

112.                       Melinda Cheah, wheelchair user private sector retiree.

113.                       Melvin Tan, Deaf person, Selangor.

114.                       Mike Chung, Member, Pertubuhan Orang Cacat Cina Malaysia (POCCM).

115.                       Miza Marsya binti Roslan, Individual living with Rare Disease; Assistant Secretary of Spinal Muscular Atrophy Malaysia (SMAM); UNICEF Young Leader.

116.                       Mohammad Faizal Che Yusof, native Blind; Peguambela Peguamcara Yang DiPertua, Persatuan Orang-Orang Cacat Penglihatan Islam Malaysia (Pertis Malaysia).

117.                       Mohd Fauzi bin Abdullah, Pengerusi, Persatuan Insan Istimewa Daerah Jempol (PIIDJ).

118.                       Mohd Ridzwan bin Warisi, Person with Visual Disability (Low Vision); Bachelor of Laws (LL.B, IIUM); Advocates & Solicitor of the High Court of Malaya & Sole Proprietor of Ridzwan Warisi & Co.

119.                       Mohd Rizal Mat Noor, Chairman, Persatuan Advokasi Kecederaan Saraf Tunjang Malaysia (MASAA).

120.                       Moses Choo, Blind Expert on ICT Use by Blind persons; Blind advocate; Member (2016-2021), National Council for Persons with Disabilities / Majlis Kebangsaan bagi Orang Kurang Upaya (MKBOKU).

121.                       Muhammad Hafiz Siraj, Deaf person with Cerebral Palsy, Selangor.

122.                       Prof Dr Nazirah Hasnan, Director, Pusat Perubatan Universiti Malaya (PPUM).

123.                       Nazri Md Zin, Pengasas, Rumah Harapan Nuraafiyah Sungai Buloh.

124.                       Ng Shu Tzu, Deaf mother, Selangor.

125.                       Dr Ng, Sui Yin, Consultant Paediatric Neurologist and Board Chair of Malaysian Autism Resource Foundation.

126.                       Nik Nadia Nik Mohd Yusoff, parent of two autistic teenagers; Podcaster for Kita Family podcast.

127.                       Nor Azman bin Sharif Hassan, OKU Pendengaran dan Bisu, Penang/Selangor.

128.                       Nori Abdullah Badawi, parent advocate; We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym; Kita Family Podcast.

129.                       Ong Hwei Ling, Deaf advocate; President, National Organisation of Malaysian Sign Language Instructors (NowBIM) / Pertubuhan Kebangsaan Pengajar Bahasa Isyarat Malaysia

130.                       Ong Yen Fang, Deaf member, Penang Deaf Association (PDA).

131.                       Ooi Ai Peng, OKU (post stroke physical disability); unemployed single mother.

132.                       Ooi Aik Chan, social worker; caregiver and family member of PwD.

133.                       Pang Qi, Deaf person, Kuala Lumpur.

134.                       Pauline Wong, advocate for People with Special Needs; Director of Siloam House, Pahang; Senior Director of Malaysian CARE; Advisor of Bloomers Employability Skills Training; Special Education Consultant.

135.                       Peter Pui, person with hearing disability; website developer.

136.                       Peter Tian, Deaf person, Sabah.

137.                       Pheh Kai Shuen, Person with Dyslexia; Clinical Psychologist; Licensed and Registered Counsellor (KB02160; PA01609); Head of Programme and Lecturer at the Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman.

138.                       Prudence Lingham, mother to 2 adult OKU; sister to adult OKU; speech therapist/founder, The Therapy Tree, Kota Kinabalu.

139.                       Raul Lee Bhaskaran, ADHD and Autistic; Solicitor, Music Producer; EXCO of AIDA (Autism Inclusiveness Direct Action Group).

140.                       Rezafarish Yusop Khas, Pengasas, Pusat Urut Terapi OKU Shah Alam.

141.                       Rita Ngadol Scourse, dementia care partner; professional freelance translator.

142.                       Rosali bin Md Nasid, Pengerusi, Persatuan Kebajikan Insan Istimewa Jati Diri (PERJATI).

143.                       Ruziah binti Ghazali (PhD), Little Person; Member of Majlis Kebangsaan bagi Orang Kurang Upaya (MKBOKU) (2017-2021).

144.                       Ruzita binti Mohd. Amin (PhD), wheelchair user; Member of National Council for Persons with Disabilities / Majlis Kebangsaan bagi Orang Kurang Upaya (MKBOKU) (2012-2016).

145.                       Sabrina Yeoh Chin Choo, double crutch user; Business Development Executive.

146.                       Sah Henn Wei, Parent of gifted child.

147.                       Saiful Bin Abdul Hamid, dementia care partner; dementia and care advocate for the local community and care partners in need of support.

148.                       Sakinah Bibi, single crutch user; President of Persatuan Titian Pemangkin.

149.                       Salwa Mohd Saleh, Parent Advocator & Founder of Wonder Parents Legacy; Parent of 3 OKU Children (Intellectual Difficulties, Dyslexia & ADHD, Autism).

150.                       Sam Wong, person with physical disability; supporter of Barrier-free Environment and Accessible Transport (BEAT); advocate for disability rights.

151.                       Sangeet Kaur Deo, advocate and solicitor; Member, Harapan OKU Law Reform Group.

152.                       Sariah Ibrahim, Deaf advocate; Advisor, NESDA, Selangor.

153.                       Sha Roose, Disabled person living with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 3; Universal Accessibility Advocate.

154.                       Sharifah Tahir, dementia and care partner advocate; Founder, UMI.

155.                       Shurendar Selva Kumar, brother of OKU adult.

156.                       Shyielathy Arumugam (PhD), Parent Advocate; Advisor of National Family Support Group of Children and People with Special Needs; Inclusive Education Advocate.

157.                       Sia Siew Chin, wheelchair user; President, Malaysian Independent Association for the Disabled, (MILAD); President, the Society of the Chinese Disabled Persons.

158.                       Siti Sarah Jasni, Autistic and ADHD Adult; PwD Employment Trainee.

159.                       Srividhya Ganapathy, person living with ADHD; Co-chair, CRIB Foundation.

160.                       Stephen Lee, Deaf Senior citizen, Kuala Lumpur Society for the Deaf.

161.                       Suhaimi bin Sapar, physically disabled person (Masters in Land Administration & Development, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia); Maybank employee.

162.                       Suhairi bin Abdullah, President, Persatuan Orang Kurang Upaya Anggota Melayu Malaysia (POKUAM).

163.                       Surendra Ananth, Human Rights Lawyer; Member of Bar Council Ad Hoc Committee on Persons with Disabilities.

164.                       Susielawatie bt Hassim, Deaf Malaysian Sign Language (BIM) user; Secretary, Deaf Women Club.

165.                       Suzaini Zaid (PhD), Dyslexic, Advocate, Senior Lecturer, Universiti Malaya.

166.                       Syar Meeze Mohd Rashid, advocate for OKU inclusion; Chairperson of Yayasan FAQEH (provides Islamic education to children with disabilities).

167.                       Tan Kuan Aw, artist with multiple disabilities; veteran disability rights activist.

168.                       Tang Kah Hung, Blind person; President, Chinese Cultural Association of the Blind in Malaysia.

169.                       Tay Chia Yi, speech-language therapist, Malaysian Association of Speech-language & Hearing (MASH).

170.                       Tengku Arman Harris bin Tengku Ismail, President, Terengganu Association of the Deaf (POPT).

171.                       Teoh Chia Ling, Deaf person, Penang.

172.                       Teong Chia Ying, Occupational Therapist.

173.                       Teresa Chong Hui Chen, Deaf person, Selangor.

174.                       Thangaveloo a/l Varathan, Blind peer supporter; Secretary, Pertubuhan Kebajikan Orang Buta Pulau Pinang.

175.                       Tien An Hui, Deaf person, Penang.

176.                       Timothy Yee, Deaf person, Selangor.

177.                       Vicky Chan, Deafblind person; advocate for the rights of Deafblind persons; Member, Harapan OKU; Vice-President (2013 and 2014), Adult Blind Association of Selangor (ABAS).

178.                       Wan Aklima, Deaf person, Perak.

179.                       Wong Hui Min, President, National Early Childhood Intervention Council, Malaysia.

180.                       Wong Jia Yaw, Deaf university student (WP KL-based).

181.                       Wong Mei Yong, Deaf mother of a Deaf child, Selangor.

182.                       Wong Poh Im, Blind housewife (over 40 years).

183.                       Wong Tze Peng (PhD), Associate Professor of Special and Inclusive Education, Speech-Language Therapist, School of Education, University of Nottingham Malaysia.

184.                       Wong Wei Yin, newly-blind; trained and working as a masseuse.

185.                       Yew Ling Lee, wheelchair user with Spinal Muscular Atrophy; motivator; award recipient (Ten Outstanding Young Malaysians); Personal Assistant to Director of Dual Blessing Bhd (CSO, occupational training for PwDs).

186.                       Yip Chee Kean, Deaf person, Selangor.

187.                       Yogeswari Veerakathy, Deaf English teacher for Deaf students, Kuala Lumpur.

188.                       Yong Hooi San, BIM instructor, Deaf person, Penang.

189.                       Yong Siew Ling, Hard-of-Hearing person, Selangor.

190.                       Yow Chun Hong, person with spastic cerebral palsy; Accounts Executive, Dual Blessing Bhd (civil society organization, occupational training for PwDs).

191.                       Yusof Hamid, Pengerusi, Persatuan OKU Fizikal Negeri Sembilan (OKUF9).

192.                       Dr. Zahilah Filzah Zulkifli, Consultant Paediatrician and Co-Founder of doktorbudak; SPELL Lead Trainer.

193.                       Zamri Mansor, Pengerusi, Persatuan Pengguna Kerusi Roda Malaysia (PPKRM).

OKU Entities (of and for OKU)

1.       AIDA (Autism Inclusiveness Direct Action Group).

2.       Akademi Remaja Islam Autisma (ARISMA).

3.       Asia Community Service, Penang.

4.       BOLD Penang.

5.       Boleh Space, Disabled-led Disability Rights Advocacy Movement.

6.       Deaf Advocacy and Wellbeing National Organisation (DAWN), Malaysia / Pertubuhan Advokasi dan Kesejahteraan Pekak Malaysia.

7.       Kita Family Podcast.

8.       Kiwanis Khir Johari Foundation (KKJF).

9.       Malaysian Sign Language and Deaf Studies Association (MyBIM) / Persatuan Bahasa Isyarat Malaysia and Pengajian Pekak.

10.   Mental Health Association of Sarawak.

11.   Mental Illness Awareness and Support Association (MIASA) Malaysia.

12.   National Organisation of Malaysian Sign Language Instructors (NowBIM) / Pertubuhan Kebangsaan Pengajar Bahasa Isyarat Malaysia.

13.   OKU Sentral.

14.   Persatuan CHILD Sabah.

15.   Persatuan Raudhah Autisme Islam Selangor.

16.   Persatuan Sukarelawan Komuniti Cerebral Palsy.

17.   Pertubuhan Sokongan Remaja Istimewa Perlis (PESTEC).

18.   Rangkaian Solidariti Demokratik Pesakit Mental (SIUMAN).

19.   Sarawak OKU Skills Development Association (SOSDA).

20.   Sarawak Society for the Deaf (SSD).

21.   Siloam House, Karak.

22.   The OKU Rights Matter Project.

23.   UMI, Dementia Care and Resource Center.

24.Endorsed by Allies (Entities and Individuals) of OKU

25.   All Women’s Action Society (AWAM).

26.   Association of Women Lawyers (AWL).

27.   CRIB Foundation.

28.   EMPOWER.

29.   ⁠Family Frontiers.

30.   Justice for Sisters.

31.   ⁠KRYSS Network.

32.   Our Journey.

33.   ⁠Perak Women for Women Society (PWW).

34.   Sabah Women’s Action-Resource Group (SAWO).

35.   Sarawak Women for Women Society (SWWS).

36.   ⁠Sisters in Islam.

37.   Tenaganita.

38.   The Talisman Project.

39.   Women’s Aid Organisation (⁠WAO).

40.   Women’s Centre for Change (WCC), Penang.

41.   Abraham Au, Human Rights Lawyer; Executive Committee Member of the National Human Rights Society (HAKAM).

42.   Ahnaf Azmi, lawyer.

43.   Armani Shahrin, Founder, NakSeni; <IncluCity.my>.

44.   Dato’ Seri Anwar Fazal, Dr Wu Lien-Teh Society Penang.

45.   Asha Devi d/o JD Singh, Child Protection Advocate.

46.   Azril Mohd Amin, Chairman, Centre for Human Rights Research & Advocacy (Centhra), Malaysia.

47.   Dr Betty Kong Ming Khian, General Medical Practitioner, Sibu, Sarawak.

48.   Bhavani Balasingham, pharmacist.

49.   Calysta Tay, BIM interpreter, Interpreters and Translators Association for Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Deaf Community (JUPEBIM).

50.   Dr Chin Saw Sian, Paediatrician, Kuching, Sarawak.

51.   Faezah Hanem Jafrey, Quantity Surveyor ARH Jurukur Bahan Sdn Bhd (retired).

52.   Gan Hao Zhan, hearing ally of Deaf community, Selangor.

53.   Geetha Arasu, supporter of legal upholding and protection of OKU rights.

54.   Geetha Shanmuganathan, supporter of legal upholding and protection of OKU rights.

55.   Gigi Teoh, hearing ally, Interpreters and Translators Association for Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Deaf Community (JUPEBIM).

56.   Gill Raja, social work lecturer (retired), Kuching, Sarawak.

57.   Dr Gowri Balasegaram, medical practioner.

58.   Hashimah Abdullah, retired former Project Management Dept (Architecture & Town Planning Services).

59.   Jeyalan a/l P.T. Samanther, dentist.

60.   Kalaletchmi Pathmanathan, supporter of legal upholding and protection of OKU rights.

61.   Kalavathy Subramaniam, accountant.

62.   Kamariah Rahmah, Volunteer/Lawyer, Supporting OKU equal access to Financial Services and better Human Rights Recognition.

63.   Laura Kho, mental health policy consultant, Mind Brew.

64.   Datin Khoo Pek Ling, Chartered Accountant; senior citizen supporter of older peers, including OKU.

65.   Kuhan Balasegaram, supporter of legal upholding and protection of OKU rights.

66.   Kumaresh Senathirajah, supporter of legal upholding and protection of OKU rights.

67.   Dr Kunahlan Samanther, medical practitioner.

68.   Lim Cheng Bock, lawyer.

69.   Ling How Kee (PhD), social work educator and advocate (gender equality and disability rights), Kuching, Sarawak.

70.   Malini Balachandran, supporter of legal upholding and protection of OKU rights.

71.   Mohd Nazari Ismail, academician and relative of autistic children.

72.   Nanthan Balachandran, supporter of legal upholding and protection of OKU rights.

73.   Nor Asfida Dahlan, Senior Finance Supervisor- Saudi Arabian Airlines (retired).

74.   Norehan Harun, Educator & Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia examiner (retired).

75.   Ravindran Robert De Silva, supporter of legal upholding and protection of OKU rights.

76.   Rosheen Fatima Mutalip, Caregiver, Performing Arts Practitioner.

77.   Roslina Abdul Manap, Specialist clinician, educator, administrator and researcher, UKM (retired).

78.   Dr Roswati Muhammad Noor, trainer of medical practitioners, and researcher.

79.   Tun Salimah binti Abdul Rahman, Operations accountant (retired).

80.   S. Poobun A/L Sivanadian, accountant.

81.   Dr Saradha Narayanan, medical practitioner.

82.   Saubin Yap, Artist and Lecturer at the Multimedia University.

83.   Shane Capri Chin, Arts Educator.

84.   Suhana Hanum Osman, Senior Manager Finance Capability Petronas (retired).

85.   Sunitha Shanmuganathan, supporter of legal upholding and protection of OKU rights.

86.   Susan Siew, gender equality, and maternal and child health advocate; Vice-President, Women’s Centre for Change, Penang.

87.   Dr Syed Abdul Khaliq, Consultant Paediatrician and Neonatologist, Hospital Pakar An-Nur.

88.   Vasantha Somusundram, supporter of legal upholding and protection of OKU rights.

89.   Dr Vasanthi Govindasamy, supporter of legal upholding and protection of OKU rights.

90.   Vasini Balachandran, accountant.

91.   Vikneswaran Sivanadian, supporter of legal upholding and protection of OKU rights.

92.   Wan Puspa Melati (PhD), Taylor’s University.

93.   Yasodha Selvaratnam, financial analyst and human resource management specialist.