Access to Public Buildings for Persons with Disabilities in Malaysia

Access to public buildings is one of the rights of persons with disabilities set out in the Persons with Disabilities Act 2008 [Act 685] of Malaysia. The right of access of persons with disabilities to public buildings is based on the principle of equality as contained in Article 8 of the Federal Constitution. Prior to the existence of the Persons with Disabilities Act 2008, Malaysia has ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on 19 July 2010, with reservations against Article 15 (Freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment) and Article 18 (Liberty of movement and nationality). However, the persons with disabilities in Malaysia are still struggling to gain proper access to public buildings and have resulted to the denial of their rights to full participation in the society. The issue that arises is whether there is any provision in Persons with Disabilities Act 2008 [Act 685] relating to the right of access to public buildings in Malaysia? To what extent can persons with disabilities file a lawsuit in the event of denial of their right of access to public buildings in Malaysia? This question should be answered by using the qualitative method of legal analysis which is by examining the provisions of Persons with Disabilities Act 2008 [Act 685] relating to access to public buildings and the right of persons with disabilities to make claims in the court in the event of violation of their rights. This paper will identify the provisions of Persons with Disabilities Act 2008 [Act 685] relating to the right of access to public buildings in Malaysia and propose some amendments to protect the rights of persons with disabilities to access to public buildings in MalaysiaIJSRED-International Journal of Scientific Research and Engineering Developmen