Getting To Know More About #OKU Card in Malaysia

What is an OKU Card / Card for People with Disabilities?

 

Frankly, I was against the idea of applying my girl an OKU Card as we did not want her to be treated "different". Unfortunately, it is mandatory for PPKI students to be certified "PWD" (People with Disabilities) to be able to enroll into a PPKI class, hence I started finding more information about OKU card in Malaysia. 

 

On the web, you will find some information but I am doing a compilation from various sources on the most updated information. Hope it helps.

 

First! The address of Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat Kuala Lumpur on some websites is not updated. This is where you can apply for an OKU card for whose residing in Kuala Lumpur

 

Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat WP Kuala Lumpur

Tingkat 9. Grand Season's Avenue

No 72, Jalan Pahang, 50564, Kuala Lumpur

Tel: 603 2612 4000

Fax: 603 4042 8185

 

Once you come to Level 9 of Grand Season Hotel, you will see this signage. 

 

 

The operation hour of JKM, Kuala Lumpur. Both operation counters and office.

 

 

I found this chart is quite useful as it shows you the proper way of applying an OKU Card.

 

 

Here's the link to download OKU Card Application Form

http://www.jkm.gov.my/file/file/borang-borang_JKM/borangokuversi19_10072012-Selasa.pdf

 

(Left) Below diagram shows you the required photo for the application. Well, they accept digital copy which I managed to email across. The officers there are willing to help and are flexible.

 

(Right) It summarizes the basic documents that you need for new application and renewal of OKU Card.

 

But please do note that it is important to keep an original copy (or a coloured copy) of your OKU Card Application Form as schools do not need a copy or your OKU card but the application form.

 

Here are OKU categories for your reference:

DE - Hearing

BL - Sight

SD - Speech

PH - Physical

LD - Learning Difficulties

ME - Mental

MD - Multiple Disabilities

 

You can read more details of the definition of each category here: http://www.jkm.gov.my/content.php?pagename=pendaftaran_orang_kurang_upaya&lang=en 

 

An OKU Card Holder would be able to enjoy the following privileges:

• Road Tax Exemption (Limited to national car, van or motorbike. 1 vehicle at any point of time. Applicant must posses a valid driving license)
• Driving License / NRIC / Passport Application / Birth Certificate / Death Certificate - 100% Exempted on New and Renewal Application
• Discounted Transport Fee - 50% OFF (MH Airline, KTMB, Rapid KL) and 25% OFF (Express Buses) 
• OKU Vehicle Eksais Duty - 50% OFF (Limited to PH category. 1 exemption every 10 years. Non-transferable. Only valid on national cars. Applicants must posses a valid driving license)
• Import Sales Tax Exemption on all special equipment for OKU
• Income Tax Exemption - RM5,000 for parents with OKU child; Additional RM6,000 for OKU and RM3,500 for OKU couples; Additional RM4,000 for OKU child attending Institute of Higher Education; RM5,000 for purchase of Special Equipment.
• Fee Exemption for medical treatment at government hospitals or clinics - Limited to admission to Ward Class 3, Specialist Consultation and Drugs
• Program Special Education / Integrasi / Inclusive (PPKI)
• Education Assistance (RM150 monthly allowance for Primary and Secondary School Students, 75% OFF on course fee in OUM, RM300 monthly allowance for IPT/Polytechnic/Community College students.) Disbursement of such allowance will be done by Jabatan Pendidikan Negeri via BSN direct transfer. (Refer to school for more information)
• Job Placement Scheme for PWD (People with Disabilities)
• Public Service Department (JPA) - Pencen Terbitan for PWD Child of deceased government servant, staggered hour for public servants with CWSN
• Housing Subsidy - 20% Discount on housing purchase from state housing company (SPNB)
• Home Rental - Lower (no further information on this privilege)
• Tele-Communications - Monthly rental exemption, free waiting call or transfer call, special Streamyx packages, Free call 103 operator. (More interesting privilege listed here - http://okuprivilege.blogspot.com/)
• Special Business Grant (SBGP-OKU)
• Allowance for PWD workers - Monthly income of RM1,200 or lower, aged 16 years and above, registered with SWD. One will receive a monthly allowance of RM300
• Allowance for unemployed PWD - Such allowance can still be applied with doctor's letter certification to certify that you are unfit to work then you will be eligible to a monthly allowance of RM200.

I hope that the above information is complete at the point of this blog is published. Anyway, I found this Parent Support Group quite useful. You may post your questions on OKU/PWD card here too! https://psgmalaysia.wordpress.com/2008/01/09/oku-card/

 

 

Special Education in KL - #PPKI

PPKI - Program Pendidikan Khas Integrasi is a supporting system that is offered in selected government schools in Malaysia to assist Special Need students in their education. Have you heard of it?

Well, I haven't until I come across this PPKI signage at SK Batu KL and that's when I started googling for more information. Unfortunately, detailed information is not avail to me from the official website. I gave up searching at some point and started looking out for private institutions such as private schools and homeschools.

After hearing from various resources and of course the fee of private educational centres has becoming a burden now that we are expecting another baby in the family. That's when I asked for some guidance on various educational related FB groups about PPKI classes again. 

To my surprise, a satellite city like Penang has better supporting system for such information. Also through the Penang group, I got to know some of the benefits about #OKU card. I will touch on the OKU card application process later.

To enrol your little one into a PPKI class of your selected school, the student needs to hold an OKU card. OKU card is issued to children or adults with challenges. In this case, my girl has learning difficulties (Global Development Delay) which is one of the many challenges listed.

You can follow the usual procedures of applying for three preferred schools from March onwards two years before he or she turns 7 years old.

There are quite a few documents that school needs for each school enrollment. Here is a list which I got it from Jabatan Pendidikan KL for your kind reference. 

Here I am also sharing with you the list of schools in KL that offer PPKI classes. 

PPKI classes (in my understanding) are classes conducted (in selected government schools) by trained special need teachers who would teach students of various ages based on their progress. However, not all schools are well-staffed with this type of teachers for all subjects. Some PPKI schools may only have such teach for 1 or 2 subjects. 

However, what matters to me really is that these teachers are trained to teach and love our special children. The speed of our children' progress should be least of our priority. Don't we just want our children to still enjoying his or her studies? We should celebrate every little milestone in our children life. 

Well, good news to parents who think otherwise - in the event if your child does progress fast and he or she may be recommended to the regular classes eventually. So.... don't worry!