Page 20 - Mainstreamer Volume 1, Issue 4, November 2023

SOCIETIES WORKING TOGETHER
Uplifting Community Engagement

Farhana Yaakub
& Asiyah Kassim

ustainability and undivided support from the rehabilitation centres were built throughout the
local community towards the PWD group are country over the years. As of June 2023, there are
Scrucial. This effort can ensure that the rights 564 CBR centres throughout Malaysia with 18,918
of this vulnerable group can be protected and PWD enrolment, 5,144 coordinators and staff. The
that an inclusive policy for disabled people in this development of this centre is intended to serve
country can be achieved. Just like other ordinary this group by providing them with a customised
people, PWD also have the right to a level of life training and rehabilitation programme based on
appropriate for their health and well-being. The their needs, allowing them to foster a more self-
government has adapted various legal provisions, reliant attitude.
policies and programmes to provide better Although many rehabilitation centres have
services to this group. Its efforts to ensure the been established throughout the country by many
level of inclusivity of this group in society are at an parties, each CBR is different in its establishment
optimal level. However, government actions alone and operations. CBRs are implemented via the
are insufficient. Apart from hard work, fatigue, collaborative efforts of disabled people, their
trust and support from parents and families in families, communities, health, education, and
giving the best to their special family members, vocational and social services. This initiative
local communities that are closer to this group is implemented nationwide with the active
need to be more sensitive and open to accept and participation of community members, either at
acknowledge the presence of this group around CBRs or at home. This programme is designed
them. to empower, build and increase community
In Malaysia, among the programmes adopted confidence in existing capabilities, resulting in a
by the government to increase awareness and more mature and compassionate society.
community togetherness in developing the PWD The state of Sabah has responded to the need to
group is the implementation of the Community- increase the number of CBR facilities established.
Based Rehabilitation (CBR) programme. CBR is To date, 40 CBRs are actively operating, with
a programme developed by the Department the goal of establishing at least one CBR in each
of Social Welfare (JKM) under the Disabled district throughout the state. According to Datuk
Development Department (JPPWD). It is a Flovia Ng, Assistant Minister of Community
local community development plan for PWD’s Development and People’s Well-being of Sabah,
rehabilitation, training, education, equalisation this effort aims to provide more comprehensive
of opportunity and social integration of PWD. services to individuals with disabilities in the
Originally, this programme was pioneered by state. The Sabah state government made a
the World Health Organisation (WHO). In 1984, step ahead in empowering CBR operations by
the Department of Social Welfare Malaysia took allocating RM200,000 in the 2023 Budget through
the initiative in collaboration with the Ministry the initiative of the Ministry of Community
of Health to implement the CBR Pilot Project. Development and People’s Well-being. It entails
As a result, the first CBR centre was successfully allocating RM5,000 per CBR to alleviate the burden
established with the local community efforts in of managing for the benefit of 2,313 disabled
Mukim Batu Rakit, Kuala Terengganu. Many similar people enrolled in CBRs across Sabah.

19 November 2023 | Vol. 01, Issue 4