The Penang government has yet to fulfil its assurances that disabled persons, senior citizens, pregnant women and children will have access to appropriate public amenities, claimed an opposition leader in the state.

Penang Parti Keadilan Rakyat deputy chairperson Cheah Kah Peng accused the state government of giving lip service to the 'caring society' policy, but said it could not go on deceiving people who are aware of the misery of the affected groups.

"The state government cannot merely create a wheelchair-friendly corridor in a building and claim to be 'caring', while the overall environment remains unfriendly to people with disabilities," he said.

He pointed out that mini-buses and stage buses in Penang do not cater to the needs of such groups, while facilities like pedestrian bridges, pavements, parks and public toilets are not conducive for their use.

"At schools located in busy areas, children have difficulty crossing the road because there are no pedestrian crossings," he said.

He said the state government has failed to implement a comprehensive development policy and to enforce rules on the provision of disabled-friendly facilities.

'Emulate others'

Penang DAP Citizens against Government Waste Committee chairperson Teh Yee Cheu said the authorities should punish errant bus drivers for being reckless and negligent.

"Their attitude endangers disabled persons, senior citizens, children and pregnant women," he said.

He cited the example of the authorities in Brazil and Hong Kong who have introduced a `door-to-door' bus service for the use of these groups.

In Taiwan, senior citizens and disabled persons are given passes to access special facilities and amenities in recreational parks.

Teh said the state government should stringently enforce laws to compel developers to provide disabled-friendly facilities in all buildings.

"These facilities do not only create comfortable living conditions for them, but are also routes for quick evacuation during emergencies such as fire, flood and tremors," he said.

He agreed with Cheah that the Penang government and relevant authorities should have the political will to enforce laws, improve public facilities, and to provide privileges to the groups concerned.

"Otherwise, Penang's so-called caring society image will be nothing more than a billboard illustration," he added.

ATHI VEERANGGAN is malaysiakini 's Penang-based stringer.