WHEELCHAIR users want the government to scrap Social Welfare Department’s JKMPay cashless payment pilot project and reinstate the monthly cash incentive allowance.

They told The Malaysian Insight that they are finding it difficult to access certain outlets to buy groceries, medicine and other amenities.

This, they said, is because the card can only be used at selected shops, most of which are not wheelchair-friendly.

The disabled also said the outlets are located far away from where they stay and they do not have access to transport. This forces them to use e-hailing services, which, in turn, eats into their monthly allowance.

Independent Living and Training Centre Malaysia president Francis Siva said the JKMPay scheme oppresses the disabled because it restricts their freedom to spend the aid money.

“They provide a list of outlets to choose from but many of the shops have no wheelchair access. Some of the products we want are also not available at these shops,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

“The price of goods is also high, as opposed to hypermarkets, and this makes us spend more with what little we get.”

He said transport is also an issue as many have to rely on others for help or use e-hailing services.

“It is not cheap to use e-hailing services. Furthermore, if we have to go to more than one outlet, it’s going to cost us even more,” he said.

“This is nonsense as the minister (Women, Family and Community Development Minister Rina Harun) is not in our shoes. Only the disabled will understand.”

The JKMPay project was launched by Rina in April last year, where half of the cash aid for the disabled is distributed through the cashless card and the balance is deposited in their accounts.

The programme, launched with the cooperation of Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad, allows the disabled to use the card at stores registered with the bank.

‘No issue in stopping JKMPay’

On March 15, Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff said there would be no issue in stopping the project if it is not beneficial to the recipients.

She said since the project, which involves new recipients, is still at the pilot stage, the ministry will await the findings of a study in April before deciding whether to continue with it.

She said the initiative is not aimed at restricting the rights of the disabled to spend, but instead expanding the method of spending for the group using the cashless system.

She said 397 shops were approved to be involved in the pilot project and as of February, 250 outlets had applied.

Francis said the disabled get a RM450 monthly allowance from the welfare department while those who are bedridden are given RM500.

He said currently, about 1,800 disabled people are registered under the programme and they found out that some who went to renew their yearly subscription for aid were also placed in this scheme.

“We have sent a memorandum to the minister (Rina) and requested a meeting. We still haven’t heard anything from her ministry or any revision to JKMPay,” he said.

Francis said if they fail to get a response from the ministry, they will send a memorandum to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong next month.

He said it is crucial to engage with the disabled community before any new policy or regulation is introduced.  

“Consultations should be conducted with the disabled to understand their situation in detail for updates on actions to be taken,” he added.

‘Address issues’

Francis also urged Putrajaya to give the disabled a RM200 increment.

“The prices of food and other goods have increased. We are not getting enough to buy food, pay electricity bills, medicine, telephone charges and others,” he said.

“We hope the government will raise our allowance.”

He said welfare officers should resume their inspections at homes for the disabled.

“We found out that the officers have stopped checking the homes when the epidemic struck. The disabled and patients ended up being neglected, not getting help with food and drinks,” he said.

“Welfare officers should investigate the situation and determine why they failed to renew their yearly allowance application, instead of just deducting their allowance when they failed to do so.

“They should also ensure that the living conditions of the residents are satisfactory and appropriate assistance are given to them.”

Francis said the disabled should be given the option to fill out their aid form online and a hotline should be provided for those who need the department’s help. – June 3, 2022.