Zaid Malek says the RM1,000 fine does not reflect the gravity of the offence committed by a policeman.

With fewer than 100 registered sign language interpretors in the country, communication can be a challenge for the deaf and the mute. But the Malaysian Federation of the Deaf is determined to do what it can to change this.

A lack of people who understand sign language has left many who have hearing and speaking impediments adrift with no way of communicating with the rest of society.

Lack of sign language practitioners in remote health centres is a problem for the hearing impaired.