Kuala Lumpur, 19 April 2025 – Under Belanjawan MADANI 2025, the Government of Malaysia is supporting Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD) with matching grants in scaling its nationwide impact through ongoing and new initiatives. The collaboration reflects a shared commitment between the Government, corporate sector and civil society organisations to support initiatives toward advancing national development.

SALAM Autisme YSD launched as flagship initiative under Program SINAR YSD to support early autism intervention and capacity building. 

“Under Belanjawan MADANI 2025, the MADANI Government has introduced various forms of matching grants involving collaboration between the Ministry of Finance, GLC foundations, and various NGOs. For YSD, the Government has allocated RM30 million to implement three key CSR programs which are aligned with the six main priorities of the Government in social development and inclusivity—namely poverty eradication, TVET education, community development, basic infrastructure, environmental and wildlife conservation, as well as arts and literature,” said YB Senator Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, Minister of Finance II. 

Today’s launch of SALAM Autisme YSD or Sentuhan Autisme Lestari Anak Malaysia, attended by Dato’ Indera Ab Rahim Ab Rahman, Director of the National Budget at the Ministry of Finance; YB Senator Tuan Isaiah D Jacob, representing the community of Persons with Disability (PWD); Dato' Jeffri Salim Davidson, Governing Council Member of YSD and Group CEO of Sime Darby Berhad; Datuk Mohamad Helmy Othman Basha, Governing Council Member of YSD and Group Managing Director of SD Guthrie Berhad; Dato’ Sri Sharifah Sofianny Syed Hussain, Director on the Board of SD Guthrie; Y.A.M. Tunku Zain Al-‘Abidin Ibni Tuanku Muhriz, Chairman of IDEAS Board of Directors; Dato' Mustamir Mohamad, Managing Director of Sime UMW; and Dr Yatela Zainal Abidin, CEO of YSD, is among the key highlights under Program SINAR (Sokongan Inklusif Autisme, Remaja, dan Komuniti Rentan). The flagship initiative aims to enhance early intervention, capacity building, and inclusive support for children living with autism, particularly from underprivileged communities. 

Launched in conjunction with World Autism Awareness Month, SALAM Autisme YSD introduces:

• 200 community scholarships for caregivers, parents, NGO personnel, and autism advocates to pursue Applied Behaviour Analysis training, in collaboration with Early Autism Project Malaysia (EAP).
• A collaborative training programme with IDEAS Autism Centre (IAC) and the Ministry of Education (MOE) to upskill 544 special education teachers and district education officers nationwide to better support neurodivergent students in mainstream schools.

“With rising autism diagnoses and limited affordable support options for B40 families, there is an urgent need to strengthen Malaysia’s early intervention ecosystem. SALAM Autisme YSD is our response in bridging access gaps through education, capacity building, and inclusive training with our trusted implementing partners. At the same time, we are honoured by the Government’s mandate to scale our impact across our ongoing projects nationwide, because behind every initiative is a community waiting to thrive,” said Dato’ Jeffri Salim Davidson, Governing Council Member of YSD and Group CEO of Sime Darby Berhad (Sime). 

Since 2014, YSD’s long-standing partnership with IAC has supported over 226 children, with 64% successfully transitioning to mainstream schools, and trained over 15,000 educators, parents, and caregivers nationwide. With EAP now on board, SALAM Autisme YSD extends support to community caregivers and NGO practitioners, strengthening Malaysia’s ecosystem of autism care and education. 

In addition to SALAM Autisme YSD, Program SINAR YSD also includes intervention for teenage pregnancy through safe shelters, healthcare, and education – launched earlier this year in Sarawak and Kelantan in partnership with NGOs such as Pertubuhan Pembangunan Insan Sarawak (PPIS), I-Medik, Persatuan Generasiku Sayang Kelantan (GKS), as well as the Reproductive Health Association of Kelantan (ReHAK). 

MOF is providing a funding boost with matching grants for various high impact projects across four of YSD’s five pillars. These initiatives, currently supported by YSD’s three donor companies Sime Darby Berhad, SD Guthrie Berhad, and Sime Darby Property Berhad, tackle critical issues nationwide – particularly in underserved communities, and span six thematic areas:

• Poverty alleviation: Improvement of access to healthcare and sustainable livelihood for Orang Asli and rural communities
• TVET education and job readiness
• Empowerment of marginalised communities
• Arts and literature engagement for youth
• Wildlife conservation
• Basic infrastructure improvements in rural areas

A full list of implementing partners receiving matching grant support announced during the event today is provided in Appendix A. 

These initiatives represent YSD’s ongoing commitment to holistic, inclusive nation-building, in close partnership with NGOs, government agencies, and local communities. 

YSD continues to champion progress across its five pillars of Education, Environment, Community & Health, Sports, and Arts & Culture, guided by the principles of the MADANI agenda and driven by the belief that every Malaysian deserves the opportunity to thrive.