| James Kon |
HIS Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, and the Brunei Government – through various agencies – continue to care for the welfare of individuals with special needs, doing so with efforts that include providing free and comprehensive healthcare facilities, integrated education system, distribution of financial assistance and multi stakeholders involvement in the provision of infrastructure and facilities that are disabled-friendly.
Continuing its commitment, the Brunei Government has prepared a plan of action for Persons With Disabilities (PWD), which specifically addresses issues pertaining to PWDs.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof revealed the latest initiative during the opening ceremony of the International Day of Person with Disabilities celebration held at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports yesterday.
Elaborating on the plan of action, he said, “It’s a framework documents that contains specific initiatives to be implemented by various agencies, departments and ministries that are members of a special committee under the National Council on Social Issues. It is a platform to tackle special needs’ issues through the approaches of whole of government and whole of society.”
At the international level, Brunei also recognises the rights and interests of special needs individuals. This was evident with His Majesty’s consent to ratifying the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People With Disabilities on April 14, 2016.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof with other special guests at the event.
Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi visits a booth. – PHOTOS: BAHYIAH BAKIR
The minister later expressed gratitude for the active involvement of special needs associations in the country that work closely with the government to raise the standard of living of special needs individuals, particularly in providing the opportunity for them to participate in society.
With the year-to-year improvement, the minister urged non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and special needs associations to not be complacent in continuing to fight for their welfare.
The minister said that to further strengthen the effectiveness of special needs’ associations, the Disabilities Welfare Council was registered with Register of Societies, and established on May 14, 2016.
Acting Director of Community Development Department Rostinah binti Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Sura Pahlawan Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Tahir noted that there are 9,282 specials needs individuals in the country.
Also attending the celebration were Asia Pacific Development Centre on Disability (APDC) Executive Director Akiie Ninomiya, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP) Social Affair Officer Aiko Akiyama, Commissioner of Royal Brunei Police Force Dato Paduka Seri Haji Mohd Jammy bin Haji Muhd Shah Al-Islam, Permanent Secretaries at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports Dato Paduka Dr Haji Affendy bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Abidin and Datin Paduka Dr Hajah Norlila binti Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Jalil, as well as representatives from several special needs associations.
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