KUCHING: Sarawak has received an allocation of RM4 million to implement a pilot project for Autism Service Centres (PPA), which will be established in Kuching, Sibu and Miri as one-stop centres to expand access to services for the autism community.

Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, Dato Sri Nancy Shukri, said the allocation forms part of RM12 million provided by the Federal Government under Budget 2026 for the expansion of the PPA pilot project to Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan.

She said the centres will offer a range of services, including diagnosis, therapy, training, advocacy and support for families with children with autism.

"In the initial phase, these centres will be established in Kuching, Sibu and Miri as one-stop centres offering diagnosis, therapy, training, advocacy and family support services," she explained.

She was speaking at the launch of the Sarawak-Level Advocacy Programme for the Care of Persons with Disabilities (PWD) with Autism at the Sarawak State Library Auditorium here on Saturday.

She added that her ministry, through the Social Welfare Department (JKM), continues to strengthen efforts to improve access to autism services through various initiatives to help more individuals and families in need.

She said this step reflects the government's commitment to ensuring the autism community receives more comprehensive support.

"All these initiatives aim to expand access to diagnosis, therapy, training, early intervention and family support services," she added. -UKASnews

Prepared by : Ezzah Syafiqah
Translator : Uilson Ng