‘Focus more on autism’

KUALA LUMPUR: More efforts should be carried out to address issues affecting children with autism, said Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen. Ng, who is patron of the National Autism Society of Malaysia (Nasom), said there was still little data about the ailment and at least RM35mil was needed over the next five years to learn more about the causes of autism. “The corporate sector should play a role in helping children with autism. They should be given the opportunity to lead a dignified life and interact normally with the world,” she said at the presentation of a certificate of recognition to Nasom by the Malaysia Book of Records for creating the first autistic choir in the country.

Country dance: Dr Ng performing the ‘Uniquely Malaysia’ dance with Nasom Maestros children during the presentation of the certificate of recognition by the Malaysia Book of Records yesterday. With them are Nasom president Datuk Danny Tan (left) and the Malaysia Book of Records director Irene Leong (right).

Dr Ng expressed her appreciation of the on-going collaboration between Nasom and Universiti Malaya, International Islamic Univer sity and University of Nottingham in their research into autism. The autistic choir, called Nasom Maestros, consisted of 27 autistic children, aged between seven and 15. The group has performed at the KL Convention Centre together with famous artistes like Lionel Richie, Il Divo and Sarah Brightman.

At a separate function in Petaling Jaya, Dr Ng said more tourists from China were expected to visit the country because many products would be duty-free goods from next year. “When they go shopping, they do not look at the price tags and they can afford to buy a lot,” she said at the Eighth Worldwide Zhongshan Association Convention dinner last night. Dr Ng said that last year, the country’s weekly tourism income was RM1bil and the ministry aimed to increase the amount to RM3bil by 2020.

-thestar online.