'Sign language interpreter is a professional career'

Overall, there are fewer than 100 sign language interpreters in the country despite a growing demand for their services, with the Welfare Department's latest statistic registering 38,675 deaf individuals nationwide.

Goh Soo Leng a sign language interpreter regrets that there is no position for sign language interpreters in the civil service.

She said the Malaysian Federation of the Deaf (MFD) is working hard to get the public service department to recognise sign language interpreters as a profession. This is so that they can work in government offices, at counters and so that the deaf community do not have to rely on NGOs to provide the services.