Man On Crutches Resorts To Using Stairs At LRT Station As Lift Has Been Broken Since 2021
The netizen who took the photo of the man has complained about the broken escalator and lift three times this year, yet no repairs have been made.
By Yap Wan Xiang — 19 May 2022, 07:00 PM
A man on crutches had to resort to using the stairs at an LRT station in Kuala Lumpur, where both the lift and escalator at the premises have been broken since 2021
The man's ordeal was first shared by netizen @xXpearlyXx on Twitter before it caught the attention of person with disability (OKU) advocacy group SIUMAN.
"Escalator and lift at Ampang Park (LRT station) have been broken since last year. Poor abang OKU as he had to climb the stairs," tweeted the netizen yesterday, 18 March.
The photo shows the man on the staircase with his head lowered as he holds himself up with two crutches.
A check by SAYS found that the netizen has lodged multiple complaints about the broken escalator and lift at the train station this year, and Rapid KL responded to them each time.
In response to the netizen's latest complaint, Rapid KL said the lift at the LRT station is still under maintenance
"Customers can ask for staff assistance at the counter. The staff can help," it replied promptly under the viral tweet.
SUIMAN is upset by Rapid KL's response, stating that OKUs do not need assistance. What they need is access.
"Access is a right. It's disgusting how our society keeps spouting 'santuni OKU' (compassion for OKUs), yet does nothing to mandate universal access," the advocacy group tweeted last night.
"Maybe abled people don't understand this, but it's very demeaning for the disabled to have to be lifted when there is no access."
The group then tagged Women, Family, and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rina Harun and Transport Minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong in the tweet.
"How about for Hari OKU Sedunia/Hari Batik Malaysia 2022 (thanks Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri), OKU pay full fare and Rapid KL ensures universal access?" asked SUIMAN.
The public transport company under the Ministry of Finance allowed OKUs to take public transport for free for two weeks in conjunction with the International Day of Disabled Persons last year.
Many netizens agreed with SUIMAN and also criticised Rapid KL for taking a long time to fix broken facilities at LRT stations.
