Latest news with #MohamadRazi
The Star
20-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Deaf summit to make debut in Sibu
Mohamad Razi is confident the event will improve the social integration and empowerment of the deaf. Sibu will soon host the first Malaysia Deaf Summit, marking a historic event for the country's hearing-impaired community. Hosted by the Sarawak Deaf Community Services Association (SDCSA), the summit will be held from Sept 26 to 28 at Kingwood Hotel, Sibu town. State Deputy Women, Childhood and Community Well-being Development Minister Datuk Mohamad Razi Sitam expressed his confidence in the summit. He described it as a platform that would create sustained opportunities for the social integration and empowerment of the hearing-impaired community. 'The deaf community has long faced systemic barriers to full participation in society. 'Policy must be directed towards strengthening accessibility, expanding funding for community-led initiatives, and ensuring their representation in decision-making processes,' he said at a press conference. Mohamad Razi added that a lasting legacy was built on concrete action. 'Legislative frameworks must incorporate permanent support mechanisms such as structured employment pathways, accessible education systems, and standardised sign language interpretation services across public, and private sectors. 'Meaningful change is achieved when the deaf community is not just included in conversations but empowered to actively shape policy outcomes that affect their future. 'Our commitment must be reflected in long-term structural reforms,' he said. Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak) chief executive officer Amelia Roziman believes the events such as the summit should leave a lasting imprint on the communities they impact. 'This is why over the past few years, BESarawak has worked closely with the Sarawak Deaf Community Services Association to develop this first ever Malaysia Deaf Summit. 'The event will amplify voices that deserve to be heard and provide a platform for collaboration between stakeholders. 'It will ensure that the deaf community is embraced in Malaysia's development journey.' Sarawak Deaf Community Services Association president Albert Wong Tuong Chui hopes that the summit will translate into tangible action, from strengthening accessibility policies to creating economic opportunities. 'The summit aims to bring together key stakeholders, including government representatives, service providers, civil society, researchers, and members of the deaf community. 'It also aims to confront challenges and explore systemic reform through education, networking, and direct engagement with policymakers in Sarawak as well as on a national and global scale,' he said. The summit is supported by the state's Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Ministry, Sarawak Social Welfare Department, state Women and Family Department and Sarawak Social Development Council. Under the theme 'Inclusive Futures: Advancing Access and Equity for Deaf Communities', the event will explore vital topics. These include inclusive and accessible education, healthcare equity, access to information, interpreting services in public spaces, legal empowerment and policy advocacy as well as cultural and linguistic preservation.
Borneo Post
09-05-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
Inaugural Malaysia Deaf Summit 2025 to take place in Sibu this September
Mohamad Razi (seated, third right) and others pose for a photo call, taken during the press conference. SIBU (May 9): Malaysia is set to host its first-ever Malaysia Deaf Summit 2025 at Kingwood Hotel here from Sept 26 to 28, under the theme 'Inclusive Futures: Advancing Access and Equity for Deaf Communities'. The event is organised by the Deaf Advocacy and Wellbeing National Organisation (DAWN) and hosted by the Sarawak Deaf Community Services Association, with support from Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak). Deputy Minister for Women, Children and Community Wellbeing Development Datuk Mohamad Razi Sitam said the summit marks a significant milestone for Malaysia's deaf community. 'Since the founding of the Federation School for the Deaf in 1954, the deaf community in Malaysia has proven time and time again that they can achieve incredible things despite facing numerous obstacles,' he told a press conference here yesterday. However, he acknowledged that the deaf community continues to face exclusion, largely due to societal misconceptions rather than lack of ability. 'While the Persons with Disabilities Act 2008 is a crucial step towards inclusion, it is clear that more needs to be done. 'Many challenges persist, particularly the lack of consistent access to interpreting services across healthcare, legal, and education sectors, as well as difficulties with literacy in both Malay and English,' he stressed. He added that the inaccessibility of legal information further prevents the individuals from fully understanding and exercising their rights under Malaysian law. To promote inclusivity, Mohamad Razi said the ministry had introduced Malaysian Sign Language learning to children under the SeDidik initiative. 'As part of building an inclusive society, our ministry through the Sarawak Social Welfare Department has assisted 14,675 persons with disabilities through monthly assistance, with 3,445 of them able to work in different sectors.' The upcoming summit is expected to gather between 300 and 400 participants, with research papers to be presented over two days. Topics include 'Employment Creation Solutions for Deaf People'; 'Promoting Sign Language Rights and Strengthening Deaf Community in Indonesia'; 'Basis of Linguistics and Legal Transformation of Filipino Sign Language'; and 'Sign Language Interpreting Services in Thailand: Roles, Challenges, and Development Pathways for Deaf and Hearing Interpreters'. Additionally, Mohamad Razi also expressed his appreciation to BESarawak for their strong support in making the summit a reality. 'Their contributions have played a pivotal role in providing essential resources, expertise, and a collaborative spirit that have greatly enriched our efforts.' He added that the government is committed to ensuring that every Malaysian, regardless of their abilities, can live with dignity and have equal access to opportunities. 'The deaf community has already demonstrated their resilience, and it is now time for the rest of society to meet them halfway. We must work together to remove barriers and create a future where they can fully participate and thrive,' he said. inaugural Malaysia Deaf Summit 2025 Sibu
Borneo Post
08-05-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
Welfare Dept distributes over RM51 mln in aid to 21,604 recipients as of April
Gira (third right) hands over a hamper to a recipient, witnessed by Mohamad Razi (centre). SIBU (May 8): The Sarawak Welfare Department has disbursed approximately RM51 million in assistance to 21,604 monthly aid recipients across the state as of April this year, said Datuk Mohamad Razi Sitam. The Deputy Minister for Women, Children and Community Wellbeing Development said the government remains committed to channelling appropriate assistance to targeted groups and eligible individuals. 'This assistance is not only aimed at easing the burden of recipients but also serves as moral support, encouraging them to continue striving for a better life,' he said during the Sejambak Kasih Hari Gawai 2025 event at the Selangau Multipurpose Hall today. Elaborating, he said there are currently eight aid schemes in Sarawak, namely Elderly Assistance, Children's Assistance, General Assistance, Allowance for Disabled Workers, Assistance for Non-Working Disabled Persons, Care Assistance for Bedridden Disabled Persons/Chronic Patients, Foster Child Assistance, and Youth and Young Women Assistance. 'We also have a 'top-up' system from the Sarawak government, which means the state does not rely entirely on federal government allocations but supplements the assistance provided,' he said. Mohamad Razi urged parents and community members to be aware of the available government aid schemes, especially for children born with disabilities or those categorised as Persons with Disabilities (PwD). 'Please go for check-ups at hospitals and obtain specialist confirmation to classify them as PwD. Then apply for the PwD card through the Welfare Department or the nearest welfare office. 'Do not hide the fact if you have family members who qualify as a PwD. Similarly, those who become disabled later in life, for example due to an accident and are unable to work, should also obtain a doctor's certification and apply for the PwD card to qualify for assistance.' On the Sejambak Kasih Hari Gawai 2025 programme, the deputy minister said the Welfare Department has been providing RM100 in cash contributions and RM80 worth of festive hampers to recipients for over 20 years. He explained that the contribution aims to ease the financial burden of recipients as they prepare for festive celebrations. 'We want to ensure disadvantaged groups can also experience the festive atmosphere, especially with the upcoming Gawai celebration. Most importantly, this programme strengthens the bond between implementing agencies such as the Welfare Department and the aid recipients,' he said. He also advised recipients to use the assistance wisely and take it as motivation to improve their quality of life. 'Let this assistance remind us of the importance of gratitude and mutual support. Life's challenges may be difficult, but every sincere effort we make will bear fruit.' Also present at the event was Tamin assemblyman Christopher Gira Sambang. razi sitam Sibu Welfare Department
