KUALA LUMPUR: The improvement of welfare for children with disabilities, including provisions for the autism community, demonstrates the commitment of the government in advocating for the needs of children with disabilities and those with rare diseases.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the government remains committed to ensuring the welfare of children with disabilities is well taken care of, treated equally and empowered through the ministry’s allocation in Budget 2025.
“They need to be given attention and treated fairly. That is our role. If we look at Budget 2025, we can see provisions for the autism community, which were not included before.
“So we will discuss how we will implement this. But we are very happy that there has been an improvement compared to before.
“God willing, we may also look into the needs of other conditions, including rare diseases,” she told reporters after attending the Spastic Fun Run 29th Annual Charity Walk-Jog-Wheel-A-Thon at Dataran Merdeka yesterday, Bernama reported.
Earlier, Nancy said in her speech that as of Oct 31, more than 740,000 persons with disabilities (PwDs) have been registered with the Department of Social Welfare (JKM), compared to 633,653 PwDs registered last year.
“I am pleased to inform you that during the tabling of the Budget 2025, a total of RM200mil was allocated to extend the Special Needs Student Allowance of RM150 per month, which will benefit more than 100,000 PwD students across Malaysia,” she said.
It was also announced that RM5mil will be allocated to develop an Autism Service Centre in the country.
“Our goal is to continue increasing these numbers and gather more accurate data.
“I would like to encourage everyone to help us raise awareness and inspire every PwD to register with JKM, towards ensuring that no one is left behind, especially in receiving assistance from the ministry,” she added.
Nancy also highlighted that this year, the ministry has approved an allocation of more than RM412,632 for organisations supporting the spastic and physically disabled community across the country.
“For the Spastic Children’s Association of Selangor & Federal Territory (SCAS & FT) alone, a total of RM117,600 has been approved for the Special Needs Students’ Allowance, volunteers’ tokens and administrative matters,” she said.
The SCAS & FT event saw 2,000 participants, including 300 persons with disabilities, competing in three categories – 2km, 5km and 10km.
