Kuala lumpur: Services provided by the Sabah Autism Centre (PAUS) will be expanded in stages to four key districts, namely Tawau, Sandakan, Kudat, and Beaufort, beginning this year to provide quality, affordable early intervention and education for children with autism.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor stated that the initiative forms part of the state government's ongoing commitment to improving the well-being of the people, with RM173.56 million allocated under this year's state budget to implement welfare and social well-being programmes. "The Kota Kinabalu PAUS, which operates in Sembulan for children with autism aged between three and seven, has been running smoothly. Various welfare assistance programmes have also been implemented to support persons with disabilities (PwDs), senior citizens, orphans, and single mothers," he noted.

The text of his speech was read out by Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Ceasar Mandela Malakun at the opening of the Neurohope Programme 2026 at the Sekolah Kebangsaan Bingkor today. On the Neurohope Programme, Hajiji said it is a community-driven initiative that brings together stakeholders from the education, healthcare, government, and community sectors to build an ecosystem supporting the development of every child.

He called on parents, teachers, and community leaders to work together to make the most of the opportunity to enhance their knowledge and share experiences, emphasizing that strong support from both the community and experts is essential. He also expressed hope that similar awareness programmes would be extended to more schools and districts throughout Sabah to strengthen inclusive education, empower families, and foster a more caring society.