KUALA LUMPUR: The tax exemption for treatment and rehabilitation of a child living with autism has been increased from RM4,000 to RM6,000.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the government was also committed in protecting the welfare and providing education opportunities for children in the autism spectrum.
"An Austism Service Centre will also be developed for the autistic community with a RM5 million allocation.
"The tax exemption for expenditure to treat and rehabilitate a child with autism has been increased from RM4,000 to RM6,000," he said when tabling the 2025 Budget in Parliament today.
Anwar said 11 Permata centres for the education of autistic children would built in various states, including Kelantan, Terengganu, Sabah and Sarawak.
"Two schools for special needs students will be built in Tuaran, Sabah and Johor Baru at a cost of RM300 million.
"The school in Johor Baru is expected to become the first school to solely focus on education for the autistic community."
Anwar said the government continues to provide the RM150 Special Needs Students Allowance every month to more than 110,000 disabled students including those with autism. He said RM200 million is allocated for this purpose.