TAMBUNAN: The government has allocated RM5 million for the establishment of the Autism Service Centres, said Deputy Chief Minister 1, Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.
He said this is part of the government’s initiative to empower individuals with disability.
“In addition, the government has also introduced tuition assistance for children with autism and subsidise the fees for therapy centres,” he said, adding that this will benefit 30,000 children with autism nationwide.
He said this when opening the Keningau Division Community Rehabilitation Organisation (PPDK) Carnival.
In his speech read by District Officer, Sobitun Makajil, Jeffrey, who is also the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry, said the government has also increased the total allocation to the OKU community to RM1.3 billion in the 2025 Budget.
He said this includes raising the salary eligibility limit for recipients of the OKU Workers Allowance from RM1,500 to RM1,700.
The Tambunan State Assemblyman also suggested that the PPDK programme be expanded to include core sports events specifically for the disabled, as a platform to unearth future paralympic talents.
Jeffrey also called on parents to register their children with disabilities to ensure they are not left behind in receiving government assistance.
“I ask the Community Welfare Department and the corporate sector to continue to support PPDK in providing beneficial programs for the OKU community,” he said.
A total of 200 PPDK participants from the Tambunan, Keningau, Tenom, and Nabawan districts participated in the carnival.
