KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 92 persons with disabilities (PwD) were hired in the public sector, representing only 0.36 per cent of the overall appointments to fill 25,520 vacancies in the government service last year.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa said of the 92 who were appointed, the largest group was those with physical disabilities, (74), followed by those with visual impairments (9), hearing impairments (5), multiple disabilities (2), speech impairments (1), and mental disabilities (1).
She said 6,177 PwD applications were received by the Public Services Commission (PSC) last year out of a total of 1.19 million applications.
"The PSC continuously encourages ministries, departments, and the offices of the state secretary under its jurisdiction to increase opportunities for PwD to fill vacancies," she said in response to a question by V Sivakumar (PH-Batu Gajah) in the Dewan Rakyat session today.
Dr Zaliha said as of Sept 30 this year, the PSC had received 4,805 applications from PwD candidates, out of a total of 1.13 million.
Of that, 44 PwDs were appointed to the public service from 13,491 appointments, or 0.33 per cent with a breakdown of 39 with physical disabilities, three with hearing impairments, and one each with mental and visual impairments.
"PSC makes appointments based on the merit and competencies of candidates, and the criteria for appointing PwDs are the same as for other candidates, as set by the Public Service Department (PSD), including academic qualifications, areas of study, and gender or location requirements," she said.
She added that recognising the importance of the recruitment process to the success of the one per cent PwD policy in the public service, PSC had implemented various initiatives to increase recruitment.
These initiatives include integrating information of registered PwD candidates with the Social Welfare Department Job Registration System (SPA9).
In addition, PwD candidates are exempt from taking the Public Service Entrance Examination (PSEE), and there is flexibility in the One Step Lower policy, which allows PwD candidates to apply for positions one grade lower than their academic qualifications.
She said the PSD is also responsible for ensuring that job descriptions, workplace environments, and the acceptance of department heads are 'friendly and suitable' for PwDs.
"To ensure the progressive development of the one per cent PwD policy in the public service, the PSD is carrying out initiatives related to the recruitment and welfare of PwDs.
"This includes the amendment of the Human Resources Service Circular SR.5.4.5 2022, which allows all public servants, including PwDs, to use sick certificates from hospitals or private clinics for up to 180 days a year, without limiting their leave entitlement," she said.
She added that a working committee on PwD Policy Improvement (2024) was formed in July to refine data and circulars would be drafted to ensure better implementation of the policies.