THE government will loosen eligibility requirements for persons with disabilities (PWD) to enrol in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) programmes. 

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he would inform Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who chairs the TVET Council, to implement the decision. 

“I will tell him that although there is some flexibility for PWDs currently, do not make the requirements too strict, such as (having) both hands. It should be based on capabilities, so we will give some flexibility.  

“InsyaAllah, this can (be implemented),” he said when replying to a participant in the “Temu Anwar” dialogue programme at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Skudai today. 

The participant, a person with disabilities and an alumnus of UTM, had asked the prime minister about measures taken by the government to allocate 1% of job opportunities in the public sector to the PWD group.

Anwar said he would raise the matter in the cabinet meeting to ensure that all government agencies and ministries complied. 

In addition, he said the government would study the possibility of establishing a secondary-level special education school in Johor to enable PWD students to further their studies after completing primary school – especially for those with hearing impairments – similar to the one in Penang. 

“I will raise this matter. I didn’t know (of Johor not having such a school), hence the reason for this Temu Anwar programme, which is to listen to the people, despite some quarters criticising the programme.  

“What is wrong with hearing out (problems like these); it’s not that we have to agree to everything. If I can’t provide an answer, I raise it in cabinet. Insya-Allah (proposal to establish a secondary special education school) will be part of the immediate plans,” he said. 

To another participant’s question on the status of the proposed “Kad Siswa Rahmah”, a discount card for university students first mooted by the late domestic trade and cost of living minister Salahuddin Ayub, Anwar said the proposal would also be brought to cabinet.  

Some 4,000 students, educators and members of the public attended the “Temu Anwar” dialogue session. Also present were Johor Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi and UTM vice-chancellor Prof Ahmad Fauzi Ismail. – Bernama, September 3, 2023.