RESIDENTIAL facilities will soon be established to provide long-term care for people with disabilities (OKU) without guardians in Sarawak.
State Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said this would ensure individuals with special needs continued to receive proper care and support, even after the passing of their parents or guardians.
“We understand the worries of parents about what will happen to their children when they are no longer around.
“Some may not have siblings or family members to care for them.
“That is why we are setting up a residential facility under the Special Needs Complex,” she said during a topping-out ceremony for Sibu Autistic Association’s (SAA) new building.
Fatimah said the residential facilities would be modelled after transit centres in Sibu and Kuching, which provided shelter, meals and bathing facilities for the homeless.
Beyond the facilities, she said, Sarawak was putting in place a comprehensive range of services to help special needs children live with dignity.
These include education, early intervention, vocational training, talent recognition, job placement, sports and cultural development, as well as long-term care.
“We know that children learn best when they are among their peers, even if the pace of learning is slower.
“After their schooling, we want to prepare them to live dignified and independent lives through vocational training.
“I have always said we must look beyond their disabilities and focus on their abilities.”
Fatimah said once the participants’ strengths were identified, they would receive training, be it through workshops or other opportunities, to enable them to earn an income.
“To support this, we are building a one-stop Special Needs Complex in Sarawak, which will offer a full spectrum of services including job matching for students after training,” she added.
Meanwhile, work on the expanded SAA building costing RM6.5mil is expected to be completed by December.
SAA president David Ngu said the centre would be able to accommodate up to 200 students and offer training in cooking and culinary arts, agriculture and horticulture, including future aquaponics and hydroponics projects.
“SAA is no longer just an early intervention centre.
“We are moving to becoming a vocational training centre where children and teenagers with autism are prepared for independent living and real-world employment.”
Ngu added that in 2023, SAA was awarded the Best OKU NGO Award by the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry.
“This is not just a badge of honour but national recognition of the hard work, commitment and vision that this community has poured into the lives of children with autism,” he said.
He said SAA began 25 years ago when three mothers came together to set up a place for their children with autism, because no such place existed.
SAA has grown into one of Malaysia’s most recognised organisations, having served more than 1,000 children across Sarawak.
Present at the event was Sibu Community Services Association chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King.
