{
  "id": 17350627,
  "title": "It takes a village: Society plans RM25m place in Pahang for autistic adults with nowhere to go",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/31/it-takes-a-village-society-plans-rm25m-place-in-pahang-for-autistic",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-31T06:15:25.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/10/31/it-takes-a-village-society-plans-rm25m-place-in-pahang-for-autistic-adults-with-nowhere-to-go/241412"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KUALA LUMPUR, October 31 — The National Autism Society of Malaysia plans to build an autism village in Pahang to house adult autistic individuals without homes, a pledge made during Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah's Tengku Ampuan of Pahang's inauguration of the society's Kuantan 2026 Charity Sale Ceremony. Datuk Megat Ahmad Shahrani Megat Sharuddin, the society's patron, stated that the proposed development, aimed at providing suitable accommodation and continuous care for autistic individuals aged 30 to 50 without guardians, would cost approximately RM25 million and accommodate around 200 residents. Megat Ahmad Shahrani emphasized the need to prevent abandonment and highlighted Pahang's potential to become a settlement for autistic individuals nationwide. Securing land was the primary requirement before the society could intensify fundraising efforts, while corporate and related bodies were being approached for financial support. The society's annual operating costs for centers across Malaysia amounted to RM7 million, while fundraising generated only RM4 million, leaving a shortfall of RM3 million each year. The high cost of providing education and therapy for autistic individuals, necessitating a low teacher-to-student ratio, was addressed by ensuring affordable fees for all societal levels and assistance to underprivileged families.",
  "summary": "KUANTAN, Oct 31 — The National Autism Society of Malaysia plans to develop an autism village to provide safe accom...",
  "key_points": [
    "National Autism Society plans RM25m autism village in Pahang",
    "Village to house 200 adult autistic individuals aged 30-50",
    "Land acquisition and fundraising needed before development"
  ],
  "editors_take": "This ambitious housing project addresses a critical gap in long-term care for aging autistic adults by transitioning the society from short-term support to providing permanent, specialized residential settlements.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}