ABOUT THE BAKTI-MIND PROJECT

The Malaysian Information Network on Disabilities (MIND) was first mooted in October 2004 by the Administrative Board of the Siti Hasmah Bakti Building (L.P.B.B.S.H.), under the leadership of Yang Amat Bahagia Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah Haji Mohd Ali. In line with BAKTI’s objective of organizing suitable charitable programs, MIND was set up for people with disabilities or P.W.D. to provide information that could help them lead useful lives as Malaysians, while the country progressed toward becoming a developed nation as envisioned by our leaders.

At the time, YBhg. Dato’ Dr. Zaliha Omar was the Head of the Medical Rehabilitation Unit at University of Malaya Medical Centre. She was appointed as Honorary Consultant and Project Leader due to her expertise in Rehabilitation Medicine, and her extensive experience working alongside people with disabilities.

The main Rehabilitation Medicine Facility had been gathering and spreading information throughout the 20+ years she was there. In fact, it played a very important role in meeting the needs of their growing number of patients with disabilities. When the work first began in 1984, it was simply the information of patients in need matched to donors and volunteers. All of this was hand-written in a 555 notebook. It gradually grew into a physical file of useful information to address the diverse needs of people with disabilities, their families and their carers.

By 1999, more information had been gathered but it was no longer manageable manually. Mr. Liew Chee Keong, who was paralysed below the neck and had acquired computer skills, volunteered to work on an online version of the information collection and provision system. It would provide opportunities for PWD to improve their quality of life. Persistence, perseverance and patience with the challenging task finally paid off when BAKTI appointed YBhg. Dato’ Dr. Zaliha Omar as the project leader in October 2004. She then rapidly drew on the enthusiasm of her diverse volunteer team to start building the MIND project.

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About BAKTI

BAKTI was founded in 1977 by Yang Amat Bahagia Tun Suhaila binti Tan Sri Mohammad Noah. Its purpose was to use the combined efforts of the wives of Malaysian leaders to assist individuals in need.
BAKTI members consist of:

  • The wife of the prime minister
  • The wife of the deputy prime minister
  • The wife of the speaker and deputy speaker of parliament respectively
  • The wife of the speaker and deputy speaker of the senate respectively
  • The wives of cabinet ministers and deputy ministers

BAKTI Objectives

  • To aid the less fortunate.
  • To enhance knowledge and experience of members through activities that foster goodwill amongst members.
  • To organize suitable charity programs and raise funds.

For more information,

About GENIUS Kurnia

GENIUS Kurnia (formerly PERMATA Kurnia) is an early intervention centre that prepares children for mainstream schooling. Their strategies incorporate evidence-based practice with naturalistic teaching, with active participation from parents. Their aims include educating children with autism to become independent, contributing members of society, empower parents to provide appropriate care, provide consultation to teachers and therapists, and heighten public awareness on autism.

Find out more about the GENIUS Kurnia program on their official website.