Stop using image if disabled people for donation drive - Jailani

The act of abusing the image of people with disabilities on social media by certain irresponsible quarters to gain public sympathy for donation has to be stopped right away, said Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Jailani Johari.

He said such an act would confuse members of the public who wished to help the deserving people.

“This has to be stopped as we don't know whether or not the donation collection has been approved by the authorities.

“We hope that the society out there will be more responsible, caring and not take advantage of the disabled people. This is because such an issue will further erode the confidence of people who genuinely want to donate,” he told reporters at the Hulu Terengganu parliamentary constituency Aidilfitri open house here today.

Also present was Terengganu Industry and Trade Committee chairman, who is also Kuala Berang state assemblyman, Datuk Tengku Putera Tengku Awang.

Jailani, who is also Hulu Terengganu Member of Parliament, hoped that the Social Welfare Department (JKM) would investigate the matter so that swift action could be taken.

“The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is willing to help the JKM and relevant authorities to ensure there will be no attempts (by certain quarters) to exploit the disabled people,” he said.

Over 10,000 guests from within and outside the constituency attended the open house.