Latest news with #OKU
Free Malaysia Today
3 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Part of Jalan Raja to close temporarily for public space revamp
The trial closure will affect the stretch of road in front of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, from the Jalan Tun Perak junction to the Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman intersection. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) will temporarily close part of Jalan Raja from June 9 to 15 as part of a pilot initiative to improve public spaces in the city centre. DBKL said the closure is part of its broader effort to create a more liveable, pedestrian-friendly, and well-organised city centre. Officials say the move will create a safer, more accessible space for pedestrians, particularly families, children, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities (OKU). The trial closure will affect the stretch of road in front of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, from the Jalan Tun Perak junction to the Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman intersection, DBKL said in a statement. During this period, inbound vehicles on Jalan Raja will still be allowed to turn right into Jalan Tun Perak, but vehicles from Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman and Jalan Tun Perak will not be allowed to enter Jalan Raja. To assist road users, DBKL will deploy directional signage and enforcement personnel throughout the trial. Public transport routes will also be affected, with temporary changes to GO-KL, RapidKL, and the Hop On-Hop Off bus services. Commuters are advised to check with the respective public transport operators for the latest updates on affected routes and stops. In the statement, DBKL also envisioned the historic Dataran Merdeka area being revitalised as a dynamic hub for arts, culture, and social activities, while providing new opportunities for local traders, creative entrepreneurs, and the tourism sector. 'By reducing traffic congestion and enhancing human interaction in the heart of the city, Kuala Lumpur can move toward becoming a more inclusive and balanced metropolis with a strong identity,' DBKL said. To gather public feedback on the initiative, DBKL has launched an online public survey which is accessible via this link – Responses will be reviewed and considered in shaping the direction of any long-term implementation.
Daily Express
5 days ago
- Daily Express
OKU killed after being struck by vehicle
Published on: Thursday, June 05, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jun 05, 2025 By: Ahmad Apong Text Size: The victim was believed to be crossing from the left shoulder of the road in front of SK Menunggang to the right when he was struck by a vehicle coming from the direction of Menumbok. KUALA PENYU: A 49-year-old disabled was killed in a road accident while walking along the Beaufort-Menumbok road early Wednesday. District Police Chief Supt Wong Leong Ming said Jumat Lamani from Kampung Menunggang was a registered OKU (Person with Disabilities) cardholder. Police received a report on the accident at 3.35am and dispatched a team to the scene. 'Initial investigations revealed the victim had left home alone. According to his brother, the victim had a tendency to wander off by himself if he missed his prescribed hospital medication,' he said. The victim was believed to be crossing from the left shoulder of the road in front of SK Menunggang to the right when he was struck by a vehicle coming from the direction of Menumbok. The victim died at the scene and his body was sent to the hospital for a post-mortem. The case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Free Malaysia Today
6 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Durian seller Nathan's prickly fight for survival
Kamalanathan Troung Kodang, or Nathan, is a disabled durian seller running a roadside stall in Subang Jaya. (Andrea Rhiannon Edmonds @ FMT Lifestyle) SUBANG JAYA : Along a bustling road in USJ 9, Subang Jaya, just opposite the Warisan Sambal Opah restaurant, lies a modest fruit stall. It's nothing more than a plastic table topped with durians and a weighing scale, accompanied by a handwritten sign that reads: 'I'm OKU. Please support me'. This humble setup reflects the tenacity of its owner, Kamalanathan Troung Kodang, 36, in overcoming life's challenges. Better known as Nathan, he has faced his fair share of setbacks. Once a crime branch detective, he left the police force in 2016 to care for his ailing mother. 'After my father passed away, my mother developed a health issue. At the time, there was no one to take care of her, so I left my job,' Nathan told FMT Lifestyle. His mother had suffered a minor stroke that affected her mobility. With his elder brother living in another state and his younger sisters still studying, Nathan stepped up to care for her. To make ends meet, he worked jobs with flexible timing so he could spend more time at home with her. Nathan waits patiently for customers at his durian stall. (Andrea Rhiannon Edmonds @ FMT Lifestyle) During the pandemic he worked as a Grab rider. But one day a wound he had on the sole of his left leg became infected. Being a diabetic, it resulted in the amputation of two toes. Shortly after, he lost vision in his left eye. In 2023, another wound in his right foot led to the amputation of his right toe. And last year, he was told he might have colon cancer. He is still awaiting a confirmed diagnosis. Earlier this year, he suffered another setback when he collapsed due to low blood pressure, breaking his left leg. Unable to continue work as a Lalamove rider, he sold petai for a while but switched to durians which give him a better income. Many in his circumstances would have given up a long time ago – but not Nathan. His goal is to earn enough without depending on others to support himself and his mother, who now also suffers from knee problems. He wants to save up for platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections to address her knee issue. 'It will cost RM1,000 per knee, so for both knees, it's around RM2,000.' Workers from Warisan Sambal Opah restaurant regularly help Nathan set up his stall and open durians for customers. (Andrea Rhiannon Edmonds @ FMT Lifestyle) For Nathan, selling durians comes with its own set of challenges, the weather being one of them – but rain or shine, he shows up for work. Even securing a spot to set up his stall is tough. Sometimes, he waits for hours in his car until a parking space becomes available. During FMT Lifestyle's visit, Nathan said he had been waiting nearly four hours – and his first customer only arrived almost an hour later. Some customers are understanding when they see his condition – they buy without asking him to open the fruits. But others insist he open the durian and walk away if they aren't satisfied with what they see. It's a loss for Nathan as he cannot sell the durian to others once the fruit's opened. Yet, he treats every customer with respect. In May, his right finger was amputated after an injury from a durian thorn became infected. Asked if he ever felt like giving up, he said: 'I haven't so far. Although I had to sacrifice a finger, I'm satisfied because it helps my mother.' Nathan is determined to keep going, one customer and one durian at a time. (Andrea Rhiannon Edmonds @ FMT Lifestyle) Despite his hardships, Nathan has experienced kindness from many around him. He said that the owner of Warisan Sambal Opah instructed his workers to help Nathan during their breaks. Members of the public who have learnt of his plight have given him groceries and donations, and bought durians to support him. 'Malaysians are very kind and helpful. They are really supportive, and they motivate me to be stronger.' Determined to keep going, Nathan is already planning ahead. Once the durian season ends, he will launch his dodol business. 'We have to keep going in life. So, I stay positive, trust myself and believe that I can make it.' Nathan's stall (opposite Warisan Sambal Opah restaurant) 2-1, Jalan USJ 9/5p Subang Business Centre 47620 Subang Jaya, Selangor Business hours: 4pm until sold out at night (closed every alternate Monday) Contact: 017-560 8462 (If you don't see Nathan's stall, give him a call – he's likely nearby, waiting for a spot to free up. Also, best to call ahead in case he has a medical appointment that day.) For the restaurant's location, click here.
The Sun
31-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Selangor launches KDE initiative to streamline funeral aid
KUALA LUMPUR: The Selangor state government today launched the Khairat Darul Ehsan (KDE) initiative as a single entity to channel financial aid of RM1,000 to the next of kin of deceased individuals to help ease the burden of funeral expenses. Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said that previously, financial assistance for the next of kin of the deceased was distributed through separate programmes such as Skim Mesra, Iltizam Selangor Sihat (ISS), and Skim Insurans Am Selangor (INSAN). He said the Selangor government had allocated RM20 million for the implementation of KDE, compared to RM12 million previously under Skim Mesra, ISS, and INSAN, which benefited 5,995 recipients. 'The implementation of KDE also streamlines the provision of death benefit aid, which was previously channelled through various individual programmes,' he told reporters after officiating the launch of the Wanita Berdaya Selangor (WBS) Volunteers and Khairat Darul Ehsan at an event here today. Yayasan Warisan Anak Selangor (YAWAS) has been appointed as the main implementing agency for the initiative. Amirudin said KDE was part of the state government's efforts to enhance the delivery of benefits to the people, in line with the promises made under the '5 Commitments for 5 Years' manifesto. 'This initiative also aligns with the objectives of the First Selangor Plan to make Selangor a liveable state through improved wellbeing and social inclusivity,' he said. He said there were two eligibility categories for applying to KDE, namely the general public and Persons with Disabilities (OKU). For the general category, applicants must be aged 50 and above, Malaysian citizens, and registered voters in Selangor. The OKU category is open to holders of the Social Welfare Department's OKU card with no age limit, who are Malaysian citizens with at least one parent who is a registered voter in Selangor, and residents of the state. Eligible individuals may register online via starting June 1.
The Star
29-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
24 Malaysian OKUs to showcase their skills at MAB's Entrepreneurs Day event
Blind crafter Saravanan Velayuthan is adept at weaving and basic woodworking, and has been using his crafting skills to eke out a living for the last 25 years. The 54-year old's specialty lies in making nylon-woven footstools, stools and tables. "Weaving isn't difficult. Anything is easy if you have the interest," says the affable Saravanan during an interview at the Malaysian Association for the Blind (MAB) in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur recently. Despite being blind and living with Marfan syndrome, Saravanan has spent 25 years perfecting his craft. Photo: The Star/Sheela Chandran There, he was completing a few woven stools, all of which will be displayed at MAB's Entrepreneurs Day, taking place from May 31 - June 1 (10.30am - 4.30pm) at MAB, KL. The objectives of the event include enhancing entrepreneurship and employability among persons with disabilities (OKU) and boosting their confidence to compete in the open market. A total of 24 entrepreneurs – from the visually impaired, physically disabled, deaf and those with intellectual disabilities – will be taking part in the event. Many items will be on sale, including handcrafted and homemade products made by the OKU individuals such as handicrafts, food, beverages, snacks, light meals, accessories and personal care products. And let's not forget Saravanan's woven stools, made using different weaving techniques like checkered weave, diagonal weave and honeycomb weave. Events like these mean a lot to the disabled community as they offer a chance to showcase their talents and earn some extra income. Often, this group of individuals isn't given the opportunity to shine due to a lack of support or exposure. Saravanan's stools are reasonably priced, ranging from RM130 to RM160 each. It takes him about two days to weave the design and make a stool. "About 98% of the work is handmade. Everything is done by my hands except for the thermo-treated meranti wood. This wood undergoes a heating process, making it stronger. I live in Shah Alam, and my son has to drive me to Kajang, Selangor to buy the wood from a sawmill factory," says Johor-born Saravanan, adding that one roll of nylon thread costs about RM15. Each handcrafted stool takes Saravanan two days to complete, using different weaving techniques. Photo: The Star/Sheela Chandran Yet some of his customers complain that the stools are too expensive. "Many people tend to bargain and ask for a cheaper price. It takes time to make the stool and complete the weaving, and I am blind," says Saravanan, who uses counting methods and his tactile skills to guide him through the weaving process. Saravanan also has Marfan syndrome, a genetic disorder that affects connective tissues. The disorder caused him to have problems with his eyes, which eventually led to blindness in his late 20s. Prior to that, he worked as a lorry driver, and he says he is blessed to have been able to see the face of his youngest daughter until she was five. After becoming blind, he signed up for a crafting course offered by MAB. From there, he eventually worked as a woodworking trainer for MAB for several years until MAB closed down its woodworking workshops due to low response from the blind. Today, Saravanan works from his flat in Taman Alam Megah. In a month, he can make five to 10 stools, earning between RM650 and RM1,600. It is not much but he's grateful three of his four grown-up children are already independent and earning an income. A pillar of support, Devayani (right) assists her father with his work, from painting stools to handling logistics. His eldest daughter Devayani, 25, works as a Braille publishing clerk with MAB. His kids assist him with his work, from painting stools to handling logistics. "When the kids were younger, it was very difficult to make ends meet as I was the sole breadwinner. Thankfully the Social Welfare Department gives me some money each month," he says. After mastering the art of nylon weaving, Saravanan now hopes to create opportunities for other visually impaired crafters. It is his dream to eventually have a small space where he can make his goods, and eventually train more blind people to weave. He is keen on Brickfields because it is easy for him to travel by train there, and that's the place where many from the blind community are based. "I dream of opening a workshop where I can teach and give jobs to other blind crafters so they, too, can earn an income. But without a proper space and with so few orders, how can I help them? "I'd love to explore weaving different surfaces like shoe racks. I can also weave traditional Indian beds called charpai. "But I live in a flat - there's no room to work. It's always difficult to craft these things at home, with my neighbours complaining whenever I do drilling work. "Hopefully my dreams will come true one day," he says.
