Page 22 - Mainstreamer Volume 1, Issue 4, November 2023

SOCIETIES WORKING TOGETHER
eager to lend a hand at the centre in every way
possible. This action is the result of their desire
to contribute to communities in need, such what
is needed by the non-profitable rehabilitation
centre. Aside from that, this centre is frequently
visited by medical practitioners who provide their
experience in trainees’ health management. For
now, the operation of the CBR is solely dependent
on the limited federal and state government grants
that cover the rental of the building, utilities, some
tokens for the trainers and monthly allowances
for the trainees. Parents who send their children
to this centre are not charged a monthly or
annual fee, except a minimal charge for books and
materials.
Trainees and teachers from CBR Kota Kinabalu. (Image
soirce: Farhana Yaakub & Asiyah Kassim).
Despite its vital roles in empowering PWD
and their families, CBRs in Malaysia continue to
face various challenges regarding resources and
inadequate facilities. Securing a few professionals
interested and willing to participate in social work
is among the most prevalent challenges faced
by CBRs. This is worsened by the condition that
CBRs are unable to handle a significant number
of trainees due to limited facilities and the
unpredictable length of stay for a trainee at the
rehabilitation centre. Some trainees remained at
the rehabilitation centre until they were 33 years
old. Due to this reason, parents had to wait a
21 November 2023 | Vol. 01, Issue 4
lengthy period for their children to be enrolled.
In accordance with the aims of developing these
facilities, the involvement of the local community
in offering devotion and constant aid to the
rehabilitation centres closest to their respective
living regions should be increased. This act is
important as many people are unaware of the
availability of a PWD rehabilitation facility in their
neighbourhood area. Solid community support and
more active community involvement are essential
to further strengthen these centres’ functions,
management and operation. It must be consistent
with the centre’s initial vision of fostering a
caring, self-sufficient, responsible community
and mobilising local resources to rehabilitate the
disabled (PWD). It is also in line with the Malaysia
Madani Policy, which aspires to achieve social
justice, including for those with disabilities. The
two cases of CBRs in Sabah are just tiny examples
that manifested the necessity to enhance the
policy and governance that could support the
operation and sustainability of the CBRs.
Farhana Yaakub is a lecturer at the Faculty of
Administrative Science and Policy Studies, Universiti
Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Sabah Branch and a doctoral
candidate at UiTM Shah Alam. Her research focus and
publication is on disability issues, public administration,
social policy, and quality management.
Dr. Asiyah Kassim is the Head of Postgraduate Studies at
the Faculty of Administrative Science & Policy Studies,
Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Shah Alam. She holds a
Doctor of Philosophy in Social Sciences from the Australian
National University (ANU). Her current research focuses on
the challenges of implementing collaborative approaches
to policy, governance, and sustainable development.