KOTA KINABALU: Nominated Assemblyman Datuk Mohamed Razali Razi has called on the Sabah Government to expand the Sabah Autism Centre beyond early education into a long-term care and life-skills facility, citing parents’ concerns over the future of children on the autism spectrum.
Speaking during the 2026 State Budget debate, he welcomed the RM670,000 allocation to expand early education at the centre but proposed it be enhanced as a “second home” offering continuous care, skills training and structured support.
He also suggested special scholarships and vocational funding for autistic youths.
Razali further proposed a Digital One Stop Centre to centralise information and applications for government assistance, and welcomed the increase in Rumah Mesra SMJ units while calling for multi-storey housing solutions in semi-urban areas and a study on housing for water settlement communities.
On youth development, he urged a more holistic approach and a review of the RM16.75 million allocation for human capital development, saying youth investment must be treated as a long-term priority.