Fatimah (centre) speaks to the media during the press conference. – Photo by Mohd Faisal Ahmad
KUCHING (April 12): Preparations for the sixth Special Olympics National Games in Bintulu, scheduled from April 24 to 26, are about 90 per cent complete, with the host working to ensure smooth execution, said Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah.
The State Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister said Sarawak is ready to host the national-level event this weekend, noting that participation from Peninsular Malaysia remains strong despite rising costs.
“We are grateful that participants are continuing to take part and send athletes from Semenanjung,” she told press conference after a memorandum of agreement signing between Sedidik Sdn Bhd and Toybox Creations at One-Stop Early Intervention Centre (OSEIC) Metrocity Matang here.
On the Malaysia Para Sukma 2026, Fatimah said the state will abide by any decision made.
“We accept it if it is postponed. I believe there is wisdom behind everything. If the situation changes, we will be able to send our children to compete,” she said.
Her remarks followed a suggestion by the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, that the Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Selangor be postponed until the crisis in West Asia comes to an end, during the opening of the fourth session of the 15th Selangor State Legislative Assembly yesterday.
Meanwhile, Fatimah said the Special Needs Community Complex (SNCC) in Samarahan is progressing, with its site already confirmed.
She said the complex will adopt a comprehensive approach to support persons with disabilities (PwD), covering early intervention, vocational training, sports facilities and residential care.
“The concept is to provide services from early childhood through adulthood, including early intervention, vocational training and sports,” she said.
She added that residential facilities will also be provided for individuals requiring long-term care and who have no next of kin.
“In other words, it is designed to meet the needs of persons with disabilities from birth until end of life,” she said.
Fatimah had previously said a new OSEIC is being developed within the SNCC in Samarahan to meet increasing demand, and is expected to be completed in 2027.
She added that a similar facility in Miri is also in progress.