Disabled cheated of artificial limb donations<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A group of disabled people accused the Ministry
\nof Social Services' Jakarta office on Monday of embezzling funds
\nallocated to procure artificial legs for the handicapped.<\/p>\n
Azwardi Ujang, head of Jakarta chapter of the Indonesian
\nAdvocating Committee for the Disabled, said the city office had
\nasked last month the group to purchase 10 low-quality artificial
\nlimbs for between Rp 1.4 million (US$127.27) and Rp 1.7 million
\neach.<\/p>\n
\"Actually the appendages should have been free of charge since
\nthe project was funded by donations from local companies,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Ujang said the artificial legs were half of a supply of 20
\nlimbs to be given to the disabled under the supervision of the
\ncommittee. Those designated to receive the legs had also had been
\nmeasured.<\/p>\n
\"But instead of providing the limbs free of charge, the office
\ndemanded we purchase them.\"<\/p>\n
The office insisted the group pay for the artificial limbs
\neven though all of the recipients complained that the price was
\ntoo high, he said.<\/p>\n
An official at PT Indoraya, which produced the artificial
\nlegs, later told Ujang that a standard quality limb retailed for
\nRp 1.8 million each.<\/p>\n
Ujang explained that when the social services office ordered
\nthe limbs, it quoted a much lower figure than the price for
\nstandard quality limbs on grounds that it also had to cover
\nadministrative and other expenses.<\/p>\n
The artificial legs to be given to the recipients cost only Rp
\n300,000 each, he claimed, saying they had been made of
\nunrecommended materials like plastic pipe, foam rubber and sheet
\niron.<\/p>\n
Standard quality limbs are made of fiber plastic, high quality
\nrubber and steel.<\/p>\n
Gatot Bimo, another representative of the committee, said the
\ncase was an example of how the social services office was not
\npaying attention to the safety and health of the handicapped.<\/p>\n
\"We feel humiliated because our safety is not being
\nconsidered. They're only thinking of how to make more money,\"
\nGatot said.<\/p>\n
He said the group would return all of the limbs to the office
\nand demand they be provided with standard quality units.<\/p>\n
The office could not be reached for comment on Monday. (ind)<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/disabled-cheated-of-artificial-limb-donations-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }