4.7 mln OKU urged to register with JKM to enjoy benefits

Senator Ras Adiba Radzi said according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 15 per cent of the population of a country is from the OKU community.

"We estimate that in Malaysia there are about 4.7 million people with disabilities, but the number of people with disabilities registered so far is only around 560,000 people," said Ras Adiba who is also the president of OKU Sentral during a press conference after officiating the Embrace Autism exhibition at Intermark shopping mall here today.

She said the small percentage encouraged her team to cooperate with JKM and the Department of Development for the Disabled (JPOKU) to invite more people with disabilities to register to benefit from government incentives specifically for the group.

Ras Adiba said among the factors for the poor response from people with disabilities was due to the social stigma attached to the group.

Therefore, she said the effort requireed the cooperation of various parties, including the media to provide awareness on the importance of registering disabled individuals with JKM so that they do not continue to be marginalised.

At the same event, Ras Adiba also launched The Embrace Autism Marketplace through her Facebook page as a platform for the autistic community to promote their services and works to the public.

The seven-day exhibition with the theme "Building a Self-Sufficient Future" starting Monday showcases the story of six autistic individuals who managed to unearth their talents with the strong support of family members and friends.