PM HAILS CONTRIBUTION OF THE DISABLED

KUALA LUMPUR, 19 Nov (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Najib Razak Thursday hailed
the sacrifice and contribution of the disabled to the nation and reiterated the
government's support for paralympic development.

To underline Malaysia's commitment, he announced that the government had
approved a piece of land for the Malaysian Paralympic Council (MPC) headquarters
and the construction of special sports complex for disabled athletes.

"These are evidence of Malaysia's strong commitment towards providing
athletes with equal opportunities to excel in their respective sports," he said
when opening the 14th International Paralympic Committee (IPC) general assembly
and conference here.

The four-day conference is held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre until
Sunday.

He said that under the 1Malaysia concept, justice and quality applied not
only to the abled and those with means.

"The 1Malaysia concept also includes the sacrifice and strong cooperation
from every segment of the society, including the unfortunate and the disabled
who makes tremendous contribution to the nation," he said.

The Prime Minister believed that people, no matter what their condition or
situation, must be equally protected and offered opportunities to contribute to
the nation-building process.

"The fact that the MPC has successfully staged various multi-sport
competitions, multi-disability championships, seminars, and congress, is proof
of Malaysian government pledge to the development of the paralympic sports and
movements," he said.

Najib was the Youth and Sports Minister between 1986 and 1990.

He called on all parties including voluntary organisations, corporate sector
and the athletes themselves to work hard hand-in-hand in promoting the
paralympic movement.

Meanwhile, MPC president Zainal Abu Zarin said the country's disabled
athletes were able to make distinct achievments due to the strong support of the
government.

"Today, Malaysia's paralympians walk tall as the government recognises them
as being equal to their able-bodied counterparts," said Zainal, who is also the
Asian and Asean Paralympic committees president.

This is the second time that Malaysia is hosting the event after the first
one in 2001.
-- BERNAMA