Ras Adiba Radzi, a senator representing PWDs, said the word in the special allowance categorised by the government as Elaun Pekerja Cacat (allowance for disabled workers) should be replaced with “OKU” (orang kurang upaya).

“The word ‘cacat’ is like looking down on the PWD community as it gives a negative connotation. We are firm in wanting it changed to OKU,” she told reporters after launching World Down Syndrome Day here today.

Last Friday, the women, family and community development ministry was reported to have made an apology if the use of the term Elaun Pekerja Cacat had offended the PWD group, and said it would change it next month in conjunction with the Social Welfare Department’s 75th anniversary.

According to the ministry, the term had been used since the 1970s.

Ras, who is also Bernama chairman, said she was grateful to the minister, Rina Harun, for her concern about the feelings of PWDs over the use of the word.