KUALA LUMPUR – In a significant move to enhance the welfare and education of autistic children, Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced a series of initiatives during the Budget 2025 presentation aimed at creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for families.
One of the key highlights of the budget is the establishment of eleven new Permata centres across the country, ensuring that every state is equipped with quality educational facilities tailored specifically for autistic children.
"This initiative will see new centres in states such as Kelantan, Terengganu, Sabah, and Sarawak, aiming to provide specialised education that meets the unique needs of these students.
"In addition to the Permata centers, the government is set to build two new schools dedicated to special needs students in Tuaran, Sabah, and Johor Bahru.
"With a total investment of RM300 million, the Johor Bahru school will be especially noteworthy as it will focus exclusively on educating autistic students, marking a pioneering step in the country’s educational landscape," Anwar said during the tabling of Budget 2025 at Dewan Rakyat here today.
To further support families with autistic children, Anwar said the government has pledged to continue providing a monthly allowance of RM150 to over 110,000 students with disabilities.
This initiative represents a total allocation of RM200 million, aimed at easing the financial burden on families.
Financial assistance for tuition fees will be made available for eligible parents, benefiting approximately 30,000 autistic children through a dedicated fund of RM15 million.
In a related matter, the government will allocate RM10 million to help registered private autism schools improve their facilities, ensuring that all children have access to comfortable and inclusive learning environments.
"To provide comprehensive support to the autism community, the establishment of an Autism Service Centre has been announced, with a budget of RM5 million dedicated to its operations.
"This centre will serve as a resource hub for families, offering information and assistance tailored to their needs," he said.
The budget also includes an increase in the tax relief limit for expenses related to the treatment and rehabilitation of autistic children, raising it from RM4,000 to RM6,000.