Sabah becomes first state with two KEMAS autism kindergartens in Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan, part of national expansion to all districts by 2027.
KIMANIS: Sabah will become the first state in Malaysia to receive two dedicated KEMAS autism kindergartens next year.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced the centres will be established in Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan.
He said Sabah received priority due to its vast geography and the need for inclusive early education access for autistic children.
“For autism programmes in Sabah, we will begin with two centres first,” he told reporters after officiating the Sentuhan Kasih Desa @ Bongawan programme.
Ahmad Zahid noted that parents previously had limited options between home care or expensive private centres.
He emphasized that while other states begin with single centres, Sabah’s dual launch serves as a national expansion model.
The initiative forms the initial phase of a nationwide project reaching all districts by 2027.
“By 2027, we aim to have one autism kindergarten in every district across Malaysia,” he confirmed.
Additional Budget 2027 allocations will be sought to increase centres in Sabah and Sarawak.
Ahmad Zahid also praised Sabah’s exceptional response to the KEMAS Pre-Tahfiz Kindergarten programme.
He said the achievement reflects the state’s multi-ethnic and multi-religious openness to value-based education.
The programme has become the country’s best despite initial concerns about limited response.
