Malaysian Council for Rehabilitation vice-president Anthony Arokia today slammed able-bodied drivers who park at disabled spots, calling them “Otak kurang upaya” (“disabled minds”), in a pun on Orang Kurang Upaya (disabled person) (OKU).

“Even a VVIP parked his car at an OKU spot recently,” the 65-year-old wheelchair-bound social activist said today, referring to the photo of a black sedan with a minister’s number plate that was parked at a disabled-friendly space.

Facebook and Twitter users would most probably remember the photo, as it went viral just over a month ago.

Anthony was speaking at the 'Because We Care' forum, organised by the University of Malaya Law Society at its law faculty.

The key topic of discussion was 'The next step to change disabilities into abilities: A look into the disabled’s rights'.

“The car park authorities (like those in shopping malls, offices and commercial squares) should be more stringent with able-bodied people who abuse parking spaces for the disabled.

“The authorities should fine them or clamp their vehicles. Let them learn their lesson,” added Anthony, who has been wheelchair-bound since he was 16 years old (because of a lumbar puncture medical procedure to treat his injured legs that went wrong).

“When (passers-by) see these cars beings clamped, they’ll know that the authorities mean business,” he said.

The sprightly sexagenarian added after driving for 21 years, he still saw able-bodied drivers abusing parking spaces for the disabled.