Mayor: MBKS mulls over building park specifically for children with autism

KUCHING (July 14): Kuching South City Council (MBKS) is mulling over constructing a park specifically for children with autism, poised to be the first of its kind in the country.

In disclosing this, Kuching South Mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng said such idea emerged following a meeting with the Paralympics Kuching Branch on Youth Athletes Programme.

“The society should give all the support they could offer for the families having children with autism. These children are special and we are obligated to defend the right of every child,” he said during his Facebook live session ‘Shall WEE Talk’ yesterday.

Wee opined that children with autism ought to be encouraged to interact with other children and the broader community, rather than being confined to their homes.

He said children with autism should also have equal access to facilities such as the park like their counterparts are enjoying.

In addition, he said the people at large should be compassionate about children with autism and understand their needs instead of resorting to social stigma.

He stressed that children with autism require the support and understanding of everyone in the society.

On a separate note, Wee said canopies, decorations and lightings have been put up in and around the MBKS Dewan Masyarakat here to pave way for the Kuching Festival Food Fair 2024.

He said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg will be the guest of honour for the 36th anniversary celebration of Kuching having been elevated to a city come Aug 1.

The mayor said six Chinese sister and friendly cities to MBKS, as well as performers from South Korea and Japan have been invited to join the forthcoming celebration.

Wee said the t-shirts for this year’s Mayor Walk are also ready and registration for this event will be open by end of this month.

Meanwhile, he said one rabies case involving a pet dog was reported in Batu Kawa here this week.

He reiterated his call to pet owners to take their dogs for rabies vaccination while pledging that the authorities concerned would continue to bid for funds to provide free vaccination.

“It seems that not just dogs spread rabies but cats are at similar risks too. This is why we have been appealing to pet owners to give full cooperation by sending their pets for vaccination against rabies,” he added.