State commits to inclusive growth ensuring dignity, equal opportunities
Selangor government has launched a disability policy and action plan centred on well-being, compassion and justice.
State women empowerment and welfare committee chairman Anfaal Saari said it marked a significant shift from passive welfare towards an approach rooted in rights, active participation and holistic empowerment.
She said the policy would ensure that persons with disabilities were recognised as equal partners in Selangor’s development agenda.
“The policy was developed through extensive research and field studies involving persons with disabilities, caregivers, non-governmental organisations, government agencies and academic institutions.
“The framework aims to bridge the gap between policy and implementation through several key areas – preservation of religion, life, intellect, lineage and wealth,” she said during a press conference after the launch at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) in Shah Alam.
The initiative includes measures to strengthen access to healthcare, early intervention programmes and mental health support for persons with disabilities as well as their caregivers.
“The policy includes measures to strengthen access to healthcare services, early intervention programmes, mental health support for persons with disabilities and their caregivers, as well as economic participation and inclusive facilities for worship,” Anfaal added.
Present at the launch were Selangor Disabled Action Council chairman and Batu Tiga assemblyman Danial Al-Rashid Haron Aminar Rashid and UiTM assistant vice-chancellor Prof Dr Juliana Johari.
The five pillars of the policy are quality of life and social equity, education and lifelong development, productivity and economic development, accessibility and universal design, and governance and disability advocacy.
“The state has pledged to ensure the policy is properly implemented, monitored and evaluated,” said Anfaal.
“Government agencies, local authorities and stakeholders must carry out their responsibilities with accountability and transparency.
“This will ensure the policy becomes a genuine instrument of change.”
Anfaal added: “The true measure of Selangor’s progress under the #KitaSelangorMajuBersama vision lies not solely in economic growth or physical development, but in its ability to provide every citizen with equal opportunities to live with dignity, contribute to society and benefit from the state’s prosperity.”
