KUCHING: Four new award categories have been introduced in conjunction with the Sarawak Persons with Disabilities (OKU) Day 2025 celebration, bringing the total number of prestigious recognitions to 10 this year.
Deputy Minister for Community Wellbeing Development, Datuk Mohamad Razi Sitam, said the new categories comprise the Outstanding PPKI (Primary & Secondary) Award, the Abylimpics Award and the OKU-Friendly Local Authority (PBT Prihatin OKU) Award.
“There are 10 awards to be announced this year, including several newly introduced ones such as the Outstanding Integrated Special Education Programme (PPKI) for primary and secondary schools, the Abylimpics Award, and the OKU-Friendly Local Authority Award,” he said during the Sarawak OKU Day 2025 celebration held at Imperial Hotel here today.
Razi added that the awards also serve as recognition for parents who raise children with disabilities and contribute positively to the wider OKU community.
He stressed that the awards are a form of appreciation for voluntary welfare organisations, Community-Based Rehabilitation Centres (PPDK), special education schools and parents, who continue to provide unwavering support, dedication and sacrifice in raising OKU children.
He said these efforts reflect the Sarawak government’s ongoing commitment to adopting inclusive and compassionate approaches towards the OKU community.
“This annual celebration is not merely a ritual. It represents our collective commitment to building an inclusive society, which is a key pillar of the state’s development vision.
“In a diverse Sarawak of many cultures and religions, unity within our diversity must continue to be strengthened, ensuring the full participation of all groups, including our friends from the OKU community,” he added.
During the ceremony, Razi presented all 10 awards to the respective recipients.
These included recognitions for PPDK Samarahan as Outstanding PPDK; the Sarawak OKU Skills Development Association (SOSDA) as Outstanding Voluntary Community Organisation (OKU Category); SK Tabuan Ulu as Outstanding PPKI (Primary); SMK Matang Jaya as Outstanding PPKI (Secondary); and inspirational parent awards to David Ngu Tai Giin and Adzohari Jamil. The Abylimpics Award was presented to Yeoh Suh Chan while Ambang Wira Sdn Bhd received the OKU-Friendly Employer Award, Kuching South City Council (MBKS) was recognised as the OKU-Friendly Local Authority, and Francis Johen received the Special OKU Personality Award.
