East Java DPRD Serious in Upholding Disability Rights: No Need to Wait for Regulation to Pass

Deputy Chair of Commission E of the East Java DPRD, Hikmah Bafaqih, stressed her commitment to overseeing the fulfillment of disability rights through the discussion of the Regional Regulation on Respect, Protection, and Fulfillment of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. She made sure the drafting process is participatory, involving the disability community, observer organizations, and the East Java Social Service. Hikmah pushed for disability issues to already be included in the discussion of the General Budget Policy and the Temporary Budget Ceiling Priority (KUA-PPAS) without waiting for the regulation to be passed. According to her, without a narrative of support from the planning stage, funding allocations for disabilities won't appear in the budget documents of Regional Apparatus Organizations (OPD). She highlighted the weak detailed data on persons with disabilities, access to education, employment, and inclusive public services. Hikmah also urged the enforcement of a 2 percent quota for disabled workers in companies as well as granting awards to those consistently hiring them, while reminding that disability affairs are a cross-OPD responsibility, not just the Social Service's. https://kabarbaik.co/dprd-jatim-serius-kawal-hak-disabilitas-tak-perlu-tunggu-perda-disahkan/