A GROUP for the visually impaired has vowed to take to court the banks that deny the blind a debit card.

Society for the Blind president Mohammad Nazari Othman said this in a meeting of Sarawak members in Miri last week, calling it clear discrimination.

The society’s Sarawak branch chairman, Isak Ngau, said some banks have given the member “stupid” reasons for not granting them a debit card linked to their accounts.

“They will say, ‘Oh, it’s dangerous for you to have the card. You could get cheated by other people’,” said Ngau.

“Some have told us, ‘Oh, we cannot give you because you will lose it’.

“That’s just plain discrimination.”

Ngau said without a card, people are not able to make cash withdrawals when the banks are closed.

He said this is especially frustrating in an emergency.

This also means that the blind cannot go cashless or make purchases online.

Ngau also questioned the use of blind-friendly ATMs when the sight-impaired are not allowed a bank card.

He said the discrimination starts when the blind open a bank account. A “witness” is required at this point.

The banks which do let blind account holders have a card are Amanah Saham Nasional, Bank Islam, RHB and Bank Simpanan Nasional.

But RHB does not appear to have a consistent policy, he said. Some branches will deny the blind the facility, he said.

“It seems like the branch manager makes the policy as he deems fit.”

Ngau said some banks will allow the card if the account is a joint one and the other holder is sighted.

“What sort of condition is that? They can’t force us to open a joint account.

“I don’t want to open a joint account, even if the other person is my sighted wife, just for the card.

“They should just respect our rights.”

He said he is meeting Women, Family and Community Development Minister Nancy Shukri next month to discuess issues concerning the visually impaired. – March 5, 2023.