By DayakDaily Team
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 9: Malaysia’s allocation for assistance to persons with disabilities (OKU) will increase to RM1.5 billion under Budget 2027, benefiting more than 300,000 recipients, as the government raises monthly care assistance for bedridden persons with disabilities and chronically ill patients from RM500 to RM600.
During the tabling of Budget 2027 at Dewan Rakyat today, Prime Minister Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the income threshold for eligibility for the Disabled Workers Allowance would also be raised from RM1,700 to RM2,000.
Under the budget, the Special Education Needs Allowance (EMBPK) for students will increase from RM150 to RM200 per month, benefiting 150,000 students, including autistic children.
The monthly teaching incentive for special education teachers will also rise from RM250 to RM300, benefiting 20,000 teachers.
Anwar said the government would build two Permata Kurnia centres in Melaka and Pahang to provide specialised education, support, and training for autistic children.
More than 130 new Tunas Istimewa kindergarten classes will also be opened in rural areas nationwide to provide better early intervention and guidance for autistic children from low-income families.
In addition, 15 community-based rehabilitation (PDK) premises will be upgraded into specialised therapy centres to benefit 20,000 registered persons with Down syndrome.
The government will also equip 3,000 new caregivers with specialised skills to meet nationwide demand for disability care services. — DayakDaily
