BUDGET 2021 continues to be a hot topic among Malaysians because of its direct impact on their lives and livelihoods as we live through the socio-economic implications of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

The budget was rhetorically introduced as a unity plans that demands the support of all members of the Dewan Rakyat.

However, that does not mean that the proposed budget is perfect. 

In my opinion, there are four fundamental weaknesses in the budget proposal.

First, although there are many good provisions for the disabled community in the 2021 budget proposal, some measures are simply echoing old strategies and mindset.

Second, although all general provisions that benefit the citizens as a whole can also be enjoyed by the disabled community, some segments or subgroups in the society, including among the disabled community, are excluded from the budget.

Third, there were also other important issues concerning the development and empowerment of persons with impairment and/or chronic illness which were not explicitly addressed, or seem somewhat silenced, which demand critical scrutiny.

Fourth, some bigger issues demand a clear direction from the government, but the strategy put in place seems to only benefit certain parties and not Malaysians as a whole.

True, some welfare assistances have been increased. However, simply raising the amount of financial assistance received does not solve the main issue. 

Many subgroups among the disabled community remain ineligible for any such assistance. In fact, the increase does not necessarily reflect the cost of living among disabled persons in Malaysia.

For example, the disabled workers allowance (EPC) is only given to Kad OKU holders with a monthly income of RM1,200 or less. 

What about those who earn more than RM1,200, but still bear the high cost of medical, transportation, and living expenses?

The government, instead, needs to review and amend the eligibility requirements and application process so that more Kad OKU holders who are in need can receive appropriate assistance.

Meanwhile, it seems the government, unfortunately,  still consider care work to be “voluntary work” and “charity work”. Therefore those who serve on the home assistance programme (KBDR) are referred to as “volunteers” and their honorarium rate is only slightly increased, from RM150 to a maximum of RM400.

It is time the care work sector is institutionalised as a professional sector with a minimum wage as well as equal labour rights as other workers in other sectors.

Besides that, the KBDR programme can be integrated and coordinated as part of a larger social protection network, by linking the KBDR program to the independent living centres and the community-based rehabilitation centres.

Ultimately, the government must reform the social protection agenda and its ecosystem, including financial assistance and social services, for the disabled community and other vulnerable groups in Malaysia.

Another example of old strategies and ways of thinking can also be seen in the government’s strategy to encourage the employment of persons with impairment and/or chronic illness through financial incentives for employers.

Although I understand that the financial incentives are to encourage the recruitment of disabled employees in the private sector, such incentives seem to be “excessive candy” for the private sector.

There were already several existing tax incentives for employers listed on the website of the Jabatan Tenaga Kerja Semenanjung Malaysia.

We need the government to underline specific conditions for those employers before they can receive those incentives so any incentives introduced have a direct impact on the policy beneficiaries, which in this case, refers to disabled employees and disabled job applicants.

We do not want employers to only hire persons with impairment and/or chronic illness to fill up low-level jobs, even though those employees have the potential and ability to fill higher-level positions.

The government must also be firm in ensuring that employers fulfill their responsibilities as stipulated in Section 29 of the Persons with Disabilities Act 2008.

Furthermore, there are so many provisions in the budget proposal that require further interrogation, such as:

What are specific financial assistance and support provided directly to disabled students at all levels of education?

Are there specific allocations for public higher learning institutions and schools to build or improve their buildings and physical environment to meet MS1184 and the universal design concept?

Are there specific allocations for Local Authorities to improve the physical environment within their jurisdiction to meet Section 34A of the Uniform Building By-Law as well as creating social services for the disabled community and other residents in their areas?

Is there a specific quota for persons with impairment and/or chronic illness in the MySTEP Initiative?

What are specific measures and mechanisms to ensure disabled persons can also benefit from the social entrepreneurship and the Micro Enterprises Facility program?

How much is the allocation provided for independent living centers and community-based rehabilitation centres?

In the budget proposal, the government is also very keen on accelerating industrial automation and digitalisation. 

However, does the government have a clear direction and strategies in facing the impact of automation and digitalisation? Are such agenda and measures really inclusive for all, including the disabled community in Malaysia?

Though there remain so many issues we could discuss based on the budget proposal, I hope the approved version will be inclusive for all, which reflects the needs of various subgroups in the disabled community and able to plant necessary foundations for positive reform in the next five years. – November 13, 2020.

*Muhamad Nadhir Abdul Nasir is a Universiti Malaya doctoral candidate with visual impairment and an independent consultant/researcher focusing on disability issues.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.