The government has taken a progressive stand towards the inclusivity of communities often shunned by society, such as those who are autistic.

This was reiterated by Information Department director-general Ibrahim Abdul Rahman in his opening speech at the "Grafiti Negaraku" mural painting programme held at the National Autism Society's (Nasom) Teluk Pulai branch in Klang today.

"As part of the government's measures towards inclusivity, no community in Malaysia will be left behind.

"They (those with autism) will be on our radar, regardless of their physical or social (attributes)," Ibrahim told about 80 attendees, including 68 autistic children from Nasom Teluk Pulai.

Autism is a mental condition present from early childhood and is characterised by difficulty in communicating and forming relationships with other people and in using language and abstract concepts.

The event, organised jointly by the Information Department and Nasom, is aimed at educating the public on autism by creating awareness on the issues and background of those suffering from it.

"It's a problem when autism is treated like it is a disease; it's a disorder.

"(Autistic people) are normal. They just behave differently. Sometimes they don't sit still, or they shout," Teluk Pulai Nasom branch chairperson Raja Chinaya told Malaysiakini.

Parents of autistic children also risk being stigmatised by the public for presumably not being able to "control" their children.

"They (the public) just think the children are misbehaving. These are citizens who clearly do not understand.

"Some 20 years ago this was a problem in Malaysia. But thankfully, there is keinsafan' (awareness) now (on their plight)," Nasom president Megat Ahmad Shahrani Megat Shahruddin said.

"Grafiti Negaraku" is a yearly programme coordinated with Nasom centres, with the inaugural programme held at Titiwangsa, Kuala Lumpur, in 2015.

Ibrahim hoped the events would multiply over the years to come and take place throughout Malaysia, including in Sabah, where there is currently no Nasom centre.

"We want to start discussions to highlight issues the community faces, and we will do it bigger with artists and leaders!

"We can go to Johor, or to Ipoh, or to Kelateh (Kelantan), or even to my hometown in Ipoh!" Ibrahim said, drawing cheers from the audience.

With the "graffiti" wall, which bears the Jalur Gemilang with handprints of the children, also comes the hope of patriotism and love for the country being instilled in children from young, in line with the "Sehati Sejiwa" theme retained for this year's Merdeka celebration.

The theme was announced by Communications and Multimedia Minister Salleh Said Keruah in June last year.