KUALA LUMPUR – The government is planning to expand community kindergartens (Tabika) specifically for children with autism next year — contingent on sufficient funding being approved under Budget 2026.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW), will begin with the establishment of autism-focused Tabika centres in every state in 2026.
If allocations allow, the programme will be extended to ensure each district has one by 2027.
He said the Community Development Department (Kemas) will collaborate with Sultan Idris Education University (Upsi) to develop a specialised curriculum and training module tailored for children with autism, an initiative he described as a “game changer” following the earlier success of the KEMAS pre-tahfiz model.
“In addition to expanding Kemas Pre-Tahfiz Tabika, we are addressing the needs of children with autism. Next year, each state will have a Kemas Autism Tabika,” Zahid said during the policy debate on the Supply Bill 2026 in the Dewan Rakyat today.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the initiative, adding: “Next year, we will build autism pre-schools, Insya-Allah.” Zahid said the move is aimed at easing the financial strain on parents who currently have to send their children to costly private centres for early education.
“If children with autism attend Tabika outside the Kemas system, the cost is often too high and can become a financial strain on parents. That is why we are introducing Kemas Autism Tabika,” he said.
The proposal received bipartisan support, with Datuk Rosol Wahid (PN–Hulu Terengganu) commending the initiative as a timely and meaningful step to strengthen early childhood education in Malaysia.
Kemas currently operates more than 10,900 Tabika centres nationwide, providing early childhood education primarily for rural communities.
Under Budget 2026, the government has allocated RM281 million for the Education Programme under Kemas, with RM8.4 million set aside for the “Tabika SmartClassroom@Kemas” initiative aimed at upgrading ICT facilities and internet access in preschools, nurseries (taska), and Tabika across 14 states.
An additional RM70 million has been allocated to provide smart televisions for 10,800 preschool, nursery, and Tabika classes nationwide, while six new Tabika Kemas centres will be built next year.
The Budget also includes RM20 million for the maintenance and upgrading of Taska Perpaduan centres nationwide.
In line with efforts to support children with special needs, Tabika Kemas will also introduce “Kelas Tunas Istimewa” in every state to cater to children with mild autism.
Overall, KKDW has been allocated RM12.4 billion under Budget 2026 to support rural and regional development programmes, including improvements to early childhood education infrastructure and access. - October 29, 2025
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