Budget : PWD Hopes Increased Allocation Improves Welfare, Quality Of Life
KUALA NERUS, Oct 10 (Bernama) -- The increase in the total allocation for aid to Persons with Disabilities (PwD) to RM1.5 billion under Budget 2027 is expected to alleviate their financial burden, particularly in coping with the rising cost of living.
This allocation will not only help meet the daily needs of PwDs but also ease the burden on caregivers and support efforts to improve their quality of life, encouraging them to lead more independent lives especially for low-income families.
Zulafizal Kamarudin, 42, a father of four from Kampung Pulau Duyong, said the increase in care allowance for bedridden PwDs is highly significant for his family, which includes three children with cerebral palsy since birth.
Zulafizal, who works as a fisherman, noted that his children require specialised care and ongoing expenditure for items such as special formula milk and disposable diapers.
"Currently, my family receives RM500 in aid for each child, totaling RM1,500 a month. The increase to RM600 per recipient is a great help, given the high daily cost of their care," he said after the 'Walk With Me 2.0' programme at Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) here today.
Meanwhile, Salwa Mohd, 40, said the increase in the Special Needs Students Allowance (EMBPK) from RM150 to RM200 per month under Budget 2027 would help cover some of the expenses for her child, who is a person with a learning disability.
"I thank the government for the allowance increase. The RM50 monthly raise is viewed as additional aid to ease the financial burden on families, particularly in covering the costs of learning materials, transportation, and care for children with special educational needs.
"This assistance is deeply meaningful to parents who must allocate specific funds to ensure the well-being and needs of their children with special educational needs are met," she said.
Meanwhile, Mohamad Asmizan, 42, a civil servant with a physical disability, hopes the allocation will lead to improved PwD-friendly facilities at service premises including banks to facilitate daily living for the disabled community and ensure more inclusive access to public spaces.
Mohamad, who lives with a disability resulting from a neurological condition, noted that some premises, including banks, still lack suitable access routes for disabled users, making it difficult for them to enter the buildings.
"From what I have observed at several banks, the paths leading from the street to the sidewalk and into the premises lack suitable facilities; in fact, some access points have steep inclines."
"I hope facilities like this can be improved so that persons with disabilities (PwD) do not face difficulties when dealing with administrative matters," he said.
Meanwhile, Terengganu Physically Disabled Association chairman, Mohd Zuki Ismail, said the government's decision to raise the income eligibility limit for PwD Worker's Allowance from RM1,700 to RM2,000 per month allows more individuals in this group to enjoy the benefit.
He noted that previously, PwD individuals earning more than RM1,700 per month were ineligible for the RM450 monthly allowance.
"With the income limit raised to RM2,000, more working PwD individuals have the opportunity to enjoy this benefit, thereby helping to ease their financial burden.
"Our association has approximately 700 members, and we hope that more eligible PwD individuals will take advantage of this government assistance," he said.
-- BERNAMA