Govt Senator Wants To Include Albinism In The Person With Disabilities (OKU) Act

Similar moves have already been implemented in other countries, most notably in South Africa.

The Senator representing people with disabilities in the Dewan Negara, Datuk Ras Adiba Radzi has called upon the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM) to include people with albinism as one of the categories recognised within the Persons with Disabilities (OKU) Act 2008. Ras Adiba said that such a move would protect and promote the rights for people with albinism and ensure their welfare and psycho-emotion to be safeguarded.

The Senator representing persons with disabilities (OKU) in Dewan Negara, Datuk Ras Adiba Radzi.

As reported by national news agency Bernama, the senator also proposed for KPWKM to work closely with the Ministry of Health (MOH) so that a database and mandatory reporting for people with albinism could be setup. In a statement released yesterday, Ras Adiba asserted,

“This is to ensure their welfare and wellbeing will be better protected through detailed policy planning and implementation. A (creation of) specific policy for the albinism community should also be expedited by the government,”

The Dewan Negara Senator further stressed that people with albinism are among the vulnerable groups in Malaysia that are often neglected or forgotten. Albinism is a rare genetic condition that is non-contagious which makes people to be born without the usual pigment in their bodies. This would then affect their skin, hair, eye colour and vision.

For illustrative purposes | A toddler with albinism.

Similar moves have already been made in other countries, most notably in South Africa. Ras Adiba also clarified that the plight of people with albinism have been ignored by the world for centuries. They face discrimination, stereotype and stigma almost everyday.

The Senator’s suggestion also coincide with the World Albinism Awareness Day that will is celebrated worldwide every 13 June.

In the statement, she also urged for the Malaysian public to openly accept children with albinism. This is important to ensure that they do not feel sidelined and can continue living their lives just like everybody else.

What do you guys think of this suggestion by Ras Adiba? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!

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