KUALA LUMPUR: The government has allocated RM457,696 for 2025 and is projecting a significantly larger RM5mil budget for 2026 to support the expansion of Tabika Tunas Istimewa@Kemas centres for children with special needs, says Datuk Rubiah Wang.
The Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister said the 2025 provision covers building repairs, equipment purchases, module development, teacher training and the Supplementary Food Assistance (BMT) programme.
“For 2026, the estimated RM5mil cost will include building repairs, equipment procurement, teacher training, BMT, Per Capita Grants (GPK), children’s allowances and payments for Community Educators (PM), Assistant Community Educators (PPM) and Volunteer Assistant Community Educators (PPMS) across 14 Tabika Tunas Istimewa@Kemas nationwide,” she said in the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (Nov 26).
Rubiah added that each Tabika Tunas Istimewa@Kemas is expected to receive around RM150,000, covering BMT, GPK and children’s allowances.
The initiative began as a pilot project on July 15 this year in Melaka, focusing on children with special needs, particularly those on the autism spectrum with the official launch held on Aug 16, involving three centres in Jasin, Melaka Tengah and Masjid Tanah.
As part of the expansion plan, she said Kemas will open 14 new centres in 2026 with one in every state.
On top of that, Rubiah said the programme will widen further in 2027 under the “One District, One Tabika Tunas Istimewa@Kemas” concept.
“The effort reflects the government’s commitment to providing inclusive, high-quality early childhood education, especially for children with special needs,” she added.
