About 30 activists in wheelchairs handed over a memorandum in Parliament urging the government to exempt disabled people from the goods and services tax (GST).

Independent Living Training Centre (ILTC) president G Francis Silva said many disabled people do not have steady income and are living hand to mouth.

“The implementation of the GST last year has had severe impact on the disabled who now find difficulties purchasing food, disposable diapers and urine bags.

“We hope the government can exempt the disabled from paying GST, or we will continue to suffer,” he told reporters at the Parliament House.

The group proposed the government issue special cards which can allow the disabled to purchase essential goods free of GST, introduced at six percent on April 1, 2015.

The activists had at 10am formed a line in front of the Parliament holding placards which read ‘Don’t discriminate against the disabled’, 'Please don't kill us' and ‘GST oppresses us’.

Eight representatives were allowed into the Parliament compounds at 10.40am, accompanied by DAP’s Klang MP Charles Santiago and PKR’s Selayang MP William Leong.

ILTC then handed over the memorandum to Opposition Leader Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and Cameron Highlands MP G Palanivel, who represented the BN Backbenchers Council.

Others who received the memorandum include PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar, PAS vice-president Idris Ahmad and Amanah vice-president Mujahid Yusof Rawa.

In response, the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry said there are already exemptions allowed for the disabled for certain purchases including prosthetic, wheelchairs, hearing aids and canes.

Even so, the minister Rohani Abdul Karim said the authorities will review the memorandum submitted by the group to find ways to assist them.

"Issues raised by the disabled group on GST are viewed seriously and will be discussed at the upcoming National Disabled Persons Council meeting," she said.