Latest news with #PresidentialSecretariat
Herald Malaysia
17-07-2025
- Health
- Herald Malaysia
Colombo working on national autism plan
Dissanayake's secretary, Dr Kumanayake, has tasked officials with presenting a proposal. The instructions are part of the Prajashakthi government programme for the equitable distribution of benefits in society. Autism (DSA) is increasingly recognised in Sri Lanka. The Ayati Trust centre in Ragama has reached 14,000 children with disabilities in five years. Jul 17, 2025 By Melani Manel Perera A proposal for a comprehensive plan to establish a national mechanism to support children with autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders. This is what President Anura Kumara Dissanayake's secretary, Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, asked officials last week. These instructions were given during a discussion held as part of the national 'Prajashakthi' programme, launched earlier this month as a key initiative of the current government. It aims to empower citizens and ensure the equitable distribution of economic benefits throughout society, with a special focus on rural communities. The programme will be implemented by ministries and affiliated institutions, with coordination from the Presidential Secretariat. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is increasingly recognised in Sri Lanka, although awareness and services have historically been limited. Estimates of prevalence are unclear due to a lack of comprehensive national data, but several reports suggest an increase in diagnoses, partly due to greater awareness and the spread of diagnostic practices. Despite this, many families still seek help from religious or traditional healers due to deep-rooted cultural beliefs. Acceptance of neurodiversity is still limited but is slowly improving with education. According to the Ayati Trust centre in Sri Lanka, approximately 1 in 93 children has been diagnosed with autism. People with autism often face significant social stigma, misconceptions and delays in accessing diagnosis and support. Established in January 2020, the Ayati Trust in Ragama (born out of the Faculty of Medicine at Kelaniya University) is Sri Lanka's first national centre for children with disabilities, including autism. Its service has reached over 14,000 children, who have received assistance over five years. Typically, 100 children are seen per day and around 175-200 attend the clinics every weekday. From its example, some key challenges have been identified, such as limited awareness and stigma in society. The social stigma surrounding autism remains significant, especially in rural areas. Limited knowledge about autism leads to late diagnosis and limited support. Furthermore, early diagnosis is difficult to achieve due to a lack of trained professionals and resources. Services are mainly concentrated in Colombo and a few medium-sized urban centres. Furthermore, rural communities often do not have access to diagnostic tools, speech therapists and behavioural interventions. Finally, traditional schools are often not equipped to deal with people with autism. There is a shortage of teachers for special education and inclusive education programmes. There are a few well-equipped private schools, but they are expensive and limited in number. In addition, therapy (speech therapy, occupational therapy, ABA, etc.) is often expensive and requires long-term intervention. Most families pay out of their own pockets, making prolonged intervention inaccessible to many.--Asia News
Malaysian Reserve
21-06-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Prabowo hails BRICS entry, reaffirms Indonesia's non-aligned stance
INDONESIAN President Prabowo Subianto on Friday reaffirmed his country's non-aligned foreign policy and praised its swift entry into the BRICS bloc, while setting out an ambitious economic strategy aimed at food security and inclusive growth. Speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), he thanked Russia, China, South Africa and Brazil for supporting Indonesia's admission into BRICS and the New Development Bank. 'We were among the fastest to be accepted into BRICS,' he said at the forum, which was officiated by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Indonesia officially joined BRICS on Jan 6, 2025, a group made up of five major developing countries namely Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Prabowo voiced strong support for a shift towards a multipolar global order, saying 'the era of unipolar dominance has passed', and praised Russia and China for 'consistently defending the oppressed and fighting for justice'. He also dismissed speculation over his absence from the G7 summit in Canada, saying he had already committed to the Russian forum. 'It's not a political message. Indonesia remains non-aligned,' he said, in remarks broadcast online by the Presidential Secretariat. Prabowo also expressed concern over rising global tensions, particularly in the Middle East, and called for peaceful resolutions. Turning to domestic policy, he said Indonesia is on course for strong economic growth and food self-sufficiency, citing a 'middle way' approach that blends market-led innovation with government intervention. He criticised decades of neoliberal policies, saying they failed to deliver equitable development, and he now aims at achieving 'the greatest good for the greatest many.' 'In the past 30 years, Indonesian elites followed the free-market ideology, but we failed to create a level playing field. Wealth remained concentrated in the hands of less than one per cent,' Prabowo said. Since taking office in October 2024, he said rice and corn production has grown by 50 per cent, rice stocks reached a record 4.4 million tonnes, and the economy should grow almost seven per cent by the end of the year. Key reforms include deregulation, anti-corruption measures, and the creation of Danantara, a new sovereign wealth fund to attract investment and safeguard national assets. Prabowo welcomed deeper Russian investment ties and noted the role of his brother, businessman and philanthropist Hashim Djojohadikusumo, who now serves as a special envoy for housing and investment. The forum appearance came a day after he and Putin witnessed the signing of new cooperation agreements in education, transport, digital development, and investment, marking 75 years of diplomatic ties. At a joint press conference, the two leaders said the agreements reflect a shared commitment to deepening cooperation across sectors and a common perspective on global affairs. 'We respect the sovereignty of all nations, seek peaceful solutions to all problems, and always prefer collaboration over conflict,' Prabowo said. Putin noted that both countries hold 'very similar or almost identical' views on global issues, adding: 'We defend sovereignty, support peaceful development in the Asia-Pacific, and coordinate closely at the United Nations and other forums.' — BERNAMA
The Sun
21-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Prabowo hails BRICS entry, reaffirms Indonesia's non-aligned stance
JAKARTA: Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on Friday reaffirmed his country's non-aligned foreign policy and praised its swift entry into the BRICS bloc, while setting out an ambitious economic strategy aimed at food security and inclusive growth. Speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), he thanked Russia, China, South Africa and Brazil for supporting Indonesia's admission into BRICS and the New Development Bank. 'We were among the fastest to be accepted into BRICS,' he said at the forum, which was officiated by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Indonesia officially joined BRICS on Jan 6, 2025, a group made up of five major developing countries namely Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Prabowo voiced strong support for a shift towards a multipolar global order, saying 'the era of unipolar dominance has passed', and praised Russia and China for 'consistently defending the oppressed and fighting for justice'. He also dismissed speculation over his absence from the G7 summit in Canada, saying he had already committed to the Russian forum. 'It's not a political message. Indonesia remains non-aligned,' he said, in remarks broadcast online by the Presidential Secretariat. Prabowo also expressed concern over rising global tensions, particularly in the Middle East, and called for peaceful resolutions. Turning to domestic policy, he said Indonesia is on course for strong economic growth and food self-sufficiency, citing a 'middle way' approach that blends market-led innovation with government intervention. He criticised decades of neoliberal policies, saying they failed to deliver equitable development, and he now aims at achieving 'the greatest good for the greatest many.' 'In the past 30 years, Indonesian elites followed the free-market ideology, but we failed to create a level playing field. Wealth remained concentrated in the hands of less than one per cent,' Prabowo said. Since taking office in October 2024, he said rice and corn production has grown by 50 per cent, rice stocks reached a record 4.4 million tonnes, and the economy should grow almost seven per cent by the end of the year. Key reforms include deregulation, anti-corruption measures, and the creation of Danantara, a new sovereign wealth fund to attract investment and safeguard national assets. Prabowo welcomed deeper Russian investment ties and noted the role of his brother, businessman and philanthropist Hashim Djojohadikusumo, who now serves as a special envoy for housing and investment. The forum appearance came a day after he and Putin witnessed the signing of new cooperation agreements in education, transport, digital development, and investment, marking 75 years of diplomatic ties. At a joint press conference, the two leaders said the agreements reflect a shared commitment to deepening cooperation across sectors and a common perspective on global affairs. 'We respect the sovereignty of all nations, seek peaceful solutions to all problems, and always prefer collaboration over conflict,' Prabowo said. Putin noted that both countries hold 'very similar or almost identical' views on global issues, adding: 'We defend sovereignty, support peaceful development in the Asia-Pacific, and coordinate closely at the United Nations and other forums.'
The Sun
21-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Prabowo hails BRICS entry
JAKARTA: Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on Friday reaffirmed his country's non-aligned foreign policy and praised its swift entry into the BRICS bloc, while setting out an ambitious economic strategy aimed at food security and inclusive growth. Speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), he thanked Russia, China, South Africa and Brazil for supporting Indonesia's admission into BRICS and the New Development Bank. 'We were among the fastest to be accepted into BRICS,' he said at the forum, which was officiated by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Indonesia officially joined BRICS on Jan 6, 2025, a group made up of five major developing countries namely Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Prabowo voiced strong support for a shift towards a multipolar global order, saying 'the era of unipolar dominance has passed', and praised Russia and China for 'consistently defending the oppressed and fighting for justice'. He also dismissed speculation over his absence from the G7 summit in Canada, saying he had already committed to the Russian forum. 'It's not a political message. Indonesia remains non-aligned,' he said, in remarks broadcast online by the Presidential Secretariat. Prabowo also expressed concern over rising global tensions, particularly in the Middle East, and called for peaceful resolutions. Turning to domestic policy, he said Indonesia is on course for strong economic growth and food self-sufficiency, citing a 'middle way' approach that blends market-led innovation with government intervention. He criticised decades of neoliberal policies, saying they failed to deliver equitable development, and he now aims at achieving 'the greatest good for the greatest many.' 'In the past 30 years, Indonesian elites followed the free-market ideology, but we failed to create a level playing field. Wealth remained concentrated in the hands of less than one per cent,' Prabowo said. Since taking office in October 2024, he said rice and corn production has grown by 50 per cent, rice stocks reached a record 4.4 million tonnes, and the economy should grow almost seven per cent by the end of the year. Key reforms include deregulation, anti-corruption measures, and the creation of Danantara, a new sovereign wealth fund to attract investment and safeguard national assets. Prabowo welcomed deeper Russian investment ties and noted the role of his brother, businessman and philanthropist Hashim Djojohadikusumo, who now serves as a special envoy for housing and investment. The forum appearance came a day after he and Putin witnessed the signing of new cooperation agreements in education, transport, digital development, and investment, marking 75 years of diplomatic ties. At a joint press conference, the two leaders said the agreements reflect a shared commitment to deepening cooperation across sectors and a common perspective on global affairs. 'We respect the sovereignty of all nations, seek peaceful solutions to all problems, and always prefer collaboration over conflict,' Prabowo said. Putin noted that both countries hold 'very similar or almost identical' views on global issues, adding: 'We defend sovereignty, support peaceful development in the Asia-Pacific, and coordinate closely at the United Nations and other forums.'
The Star
18-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Prabowo pushes for Temasek, Danantara cooperation to develop Batam
President Prabowo Subianto and his ministers attending the annual leaders' retreat with Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and his delegation at the Parliament House in Singapore on June 16. - Presidential Secretariat JAKARTA: President Prabowo Subianto has pushed for cooperation between Singapore's sovereign wealth fund Temasek and Indonesia's state-asset fund Danantara in the development of Batam, Riau Islands. In his first state visit to Singapore following his inauguration in October, Prabowo attended the annual leaders' retreat with Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in which he expressed the hope of partnership between the funds. 'We look forward to close collaboration between Temasek and Danantara in all sectors, especially the sectors of renewable energy, sustainable industrial zones and the development of Batam, Bintan and Karimun,' said Prabowo on Monday (June 16), referring to the three islands that are in proximity of one other. Prabowo hopes for Temasek's support in the development of the low carbon energy sector and critical infrastructure in the region with the special economic zones status. It remains unclear in what shape the cooperation could manifest. In the case of Batam, it is located some 20 to 30km of the Singapore Strait, equivalent to around an hour-long ferry ride, while Bintan is located east of Batam and Karimun west. Batam and Singapore are connected with multiple terminals that have ferries departing every day, making it common for people to live in Batam and commute to Singapore daily. In his address, Prabowo bluntly said that Temasek was Singapore's achievement that Indonesia copies 'with pride' when establishing Danantara. He also added his administration housing programme also took some inspiration from the city-state's own programme. 'In school, we're not allowed to copy our friends' homework or exams. But in real life, why not copy the best practice? […] I hope there's no copyright,' Prabowo said. Established in February and modelled after Temasek, Danantara aims to eventually manage over US$900 billion in assets with initial capital of $20 billion. Danantara has brought 844 state-owned enterprises (SOEs) under its operational umbrella, whose dividends, projected at around $7 billion this year, were among the sources of Danantara's funding to execute its strategic investment plans. Prabowo's and Wong's meeting, the first for both recently inaugurated leaders, produced 19 agreements, including the implementation of a defence cooperation agreement (DCA), cross-border electricity trade, a sustainable industrial zone and a bilateral financial agreement between the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and Bank Indonesia (BI). 'I think this marks the high value we attach to the relationship and the friendship between Singapore and Indonesia,' Prabowo said in a joint statement. While Monday's meeting marked the first official meeting between the leaders, Prabowo has met Wong several times, including during the latter's state visit to Jakarta in November for an 'introductory' meeting. Wong said 'Singapore-Indonesia relations are in excellent shape', and the two leaders had agreed to 'take it further and chart even stronger ties in this new era of cooperation'. Before the meeting of two leaders, Indonesia has reiterated that it agreed to export 3.4 gigawatts (GW) of clean electricity to Singapore by the end of 2035. This followed an agreement between Singapore's Energy and Science and Technology Minister-in-charge, Tan See Leng, and Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia on cross-border electricity on June 13 in Jakarta. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
