Latest news with #MohamadRaziSitam
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
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Minister: 24 applications for MyKAD's ‘K' indicator approved by Sarawak Cabinet
Fatimah (seated, centre) joins deputy minister Datuk Mohamad Razi Sitam, on her right, and others in a group photo, taken during the JKM Sarawak's Aidilfitri gathering in Kuching. KUCHING (April 28): The Sarawak Cabinet approved a total of 24 applications for the 'K' indicator on MyKAD as at September last year, said Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah. In this regard, the Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development said Sibu submitted 11 applications, followed by Kuching with 10 applications, and Miri, Bintulu and Daro with one application each. 'As of April 23 this year, the National Registration Department (NRD) Sarawak received another 24 applications for the inclusion of the K indicator on the MyKAD. 'Seven out of these applications are for adopted children, while the remaining 17 cases are those of abandoned children placed at government-owned welfare institutions who have been adopted by spouses who hold the K indicator on their MyKADs,' she told reporters when met at Welfare Department (JKM) Sarawak's Aidilfitri gathering at Hikmah Exchange Events Centre here today. According to Fatimah, Malaysia-born children are eligible for the K indicator, provided that one of the parents holds the Sarawakian identity. 'Children born outside Malaysia are also eligible for the Sarawakian status if one of the parents holds the K indicator on their MyKAD, but approval from the NRD Sarawak director is required if the father does not have the K indicator. 'For a child granted citizenship status under Article 15A of the Federal Constitution, the K indicator is granted according to the indicator status of the biological mother or father as in the child's original birth certificate. 'For adopted children, the K indicator is determined based on the indicator of the biological mother or father. 'An individual who is granted citizenship under Article 15(2) of the Federal Constitution is eligible for the K indicator based on the mother's indicator only. NRD Sarawak director's approval must be obtained if only the father has the K indicator. 'Another method to obtain the K indicator is to acquire the Permanent Resident (MyPR) status first based on the Temporary Resident Identity Card (MyKAS) regulations issued by the Sarawak state Immigration Department, to facilitate the entry of or exit from Sarawak,' explained the minister. Meanwhile, Fatimah said a total of 320,591 senior citizens had registered as Kenyalang Gold Card (KGC) holders since the initiative was implemented in January 2020. She added that from 2020 to this year-to-date, 1,063 merchants had registered as KGC strategic partners, providing discounts to members for the purchase of goods or free fees for services offered. 'KGC also offers benefits and privileges such as providing Death Compassionate Assistance (BIK) to the next-of-kin of KGC holders. 'A total of 23,406 had received the BIK totalling over RM67 million since 2020. 'This clearly reflects that the state government is very concerned about the needs of the people of Sarawak,' she said. citizenship fatimah abdullah K indicator MyKad
