Isak (standing second right) and two other SBM members massage top figures of the judiciary (from right) Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Richard Malanjum (Chief Judge of High Court Sabah and Sarawak), Tun Raus Sharif (Chief Justice of Malaysia), Tan Sri Datuk Seri Zulkefli Ahmad Makinudin (Court of Appeal president), during the Jan 10 celebration for the start of legal year 2018 for Sarawak and Sabah.
MIRI: The Society for the Blind in Malaysia (SBM), Sarawak Chapter is determined to get more visually-impaired persons, including the partially blind, to become its members so they can have a bigger voice.
“All activities organised are to benefit the visually-impaired members of SBM. We want more visually-impaired to become members so more funds could be sought to organise more activities for those in Sarawak. With more members, the society will have a bigger voice and opportunities to improve their quality of life and that of their families,” SBM Sarawak chairman Isak Ngau pointed out.
Isak believed that there are thousands of visually-impaired Malaysians in the state yet to become members of the society, which has existed since 1986.
“It’s sad that many have yet to become members. Currently we only have 279 members throughout Sarawak though I believe the figure is just the tip of the iceberg.
“Families of the blind or partially blind and community leaders are encouraged to help them register with SBM so they can benefit from the various assistance and activities organised,” Isak said when contacted yesterday.
He said there are numerous aid awaiting SBM members, ranging from financial assistance to skills training and annually-held activities.
“The financial assistance may not be much but could help alleviate the financial burden of members. It includes funds for sufferers of chronic diseases, partial payment to those seeking medical treatment from private clinics, and initial education assistance for members’ children apart from skills training,” he said.
Among the training organised are therapy and reflexology and, recently, courses on rearing livestock and fish culture jointly organised with the Agriculture Department.
As for projects for 2018, SBM Sarawak has proposed to its headquarters in Kuala Lumpur for funds to organise therapy massage seminar in Kuching in March; climbing Puncak Borneo in conjunction with Merdeka Month in August; annual gathering of members in June for the joint Gawai Dayak and Hari Raya celebrations to be held in Kuching and Sibu; and observation of White Cane Day in October.
Among the criteria for becoming SBM members are that they must be a Malaysian citizens aged 18 and above with supporting documents on their visual impairment, including letters or OKU (people with special needs) card from the Welfare Department.
For registration and details, contact Isak on 019-2112558 or the SBM office at King Centre Kuching at 082-571486 from 8.30am to 5pm, fax 082-577486 or email [email protected]