Govt to complete bill for invalids welfare

JAKARTA (JP): The government is currently putting the final touches on a bill to secure the welfare of the physically disabled and hopes to present it to the House of Representatives (DPR) in September.

The Ministry of Social Services on Tuesday held a dialog with a number of social organizations and DPR members to improve the draft, which it has been working on since September 1993, the Antara news agency reported. Director General for Social Rehabilitation Susilo Supeno presided over the meeting held in his office.

Susilo said many countries in the Asia-Pacific region have already enacted legislation on the welfare of invalids.

The draft currently contains 11 chapters regulating various aspects for the care and legal rights of those with physical disabilities, from medical needs, to education, employment, public services and legal protection.

One of the organizations involved in the debate on Tuesday was the Corps of Invalid Veterans. Its chairman, F. Soeratno, said he hopes the proposed law will stipulate follow-up counseling for his members.

Taheri Noor, a member of Armed Forces faction in DPR, sought a clearer definition of "invalid" in the bill.

His colleague, M. Akip, sought to insert a clause in the bill stipulating that in times of war, invalid persons must be given first priority for protection, including evacuation.

It is estimated that the bill will be passed into law by the DPR by the middle of next year, Susilo said. (emb)