Sarawak govt contributes RM2.25 mln to expand HIV support services
KUCHING (July 20): The Sarawak government has contributed RM2.25 million to support the staffing, operations and expansion of Teratak Kasih Tok Nan (TKTN), a community-based HIV support centre, over the next three years.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg announced that the centre is set to expand to Miri and Bintulu, extending its HIV support network.
'We take the issue of HIV and AIDS seriously. The increasing number of new cases is a concern we monitor closely. There is no room for complacency,' he said in his speech at the Malaysian AIDS Foundation (MAF) Kuching Gala 2025 at a hotel here last night.
His speech was delivered by Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
The state government also contributed a further RM200,000 during the gala, bringing the total funds raised at the event to RM3.5 million. This amount includes donations from various corporate donors to support the sustainability and expansion of the TKTN safehouse and outreach model.
Abang Johari further reaffirmed the state's support for high-impact initiatives, such as the Differentiated HIV Services for Key Populations (DHSKP), a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Health and its partners.
'By reaching out to key populations with tailored care and outreach, the programme reflects the realities of our state — where geography, diversity, and vulnerability require localised and responsive solutions,' he added.
He commended MAF Sarawak for its collaborative approach with the government and private sector partners, including Sunway Group and Yayasan Petronas, in expanding DHSKP services.
Abang Johari also highlighted youth as a key focus in the state's HIV response, stressing the need to equip them with knowledge, tools, and safe spaces to make informed decisions, particularly in reducing the risk of sexual transmission and safeguarding their wellbeing.
He went on to call for greater collective responsibility in addressing the stigma surrounding HIV.
'For many, it is not the virus itself, but the isolation, shame, and discrimination that cause the deepest pain. This is a burden no one should bear — and it is one we all have a duty to lift,' he said.
Abang Johari expressed appreciation to MAF Borneo patron Datin Patinggi Datuk Amar Puan Sri Jamilah Anu for continuing the legacy of the late Pehin Sri Adenan Satem (affectionately known as Tok Nan), who helped to establish the first TKTN facility here nine years ago.
Among present were Ministry of Health deputy-director general (Public Health) Dr Ismuni Bohari, MAF trustee Assoc Prof Dr Raja Iskandar Shah Raja Azwa as well as MAF and Malaysian AIDS Council executive director Jasmin Jalil. Abang Johari HIV support centre lead Teratak Kasih Tok Nan
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Borneo Post
an hour ago
- Borneo Post
Rising poor health, invalidity issues preventing Malaysians from working until retirement
Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed KUALA LUMPUR (July 24): As discussions reignite over Malaysia's proposal to raise the retirement age to 65, the Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) has warned that the reality on the ground tells a different story, with many Malaysians unable to work until retirement due to poor health and rising invalidity cases. Perkeso group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed said while the proposal to extend the retirement age may appear logical in the context of Malaysians' longer lifespans, the data shows many workers are being forced to exit the workforce far earlier due to non-communicable diseases and other health conditions. 'Retirement is no longer a guarantee in Malaysia. For many, it has become a privilege they may never reach,' Dr Azman said in a statement. Perkeso data shows invalidity claims have surged by over 160 per cent in the last decade. In 2023 alone, more than 52 out of every 10,000 active workers filed for invalidity, with the average applicant being just 45 years old — far younger than the current retirement age. 'What is more alarming is that 85 per cent of invalidity cases paid in December 2024 were due to non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, and strokes,' Dr Azman said, noting these conditions reflect years of strain, lack of preventive care, and insufficient early intervention. He opined the idea of simply raising the retirement age without addressing systemic health and income security issues is inadequate, describing it as 'building a bridge for the lucky few while leaving everyone else to swim across'. The CEO also pointed out the limitations of Malaysia's current retirement system, which remains heavily reliant on a defined contribution model through the Employees Provident Fund (EPF). The system leaves many at risk, particularly those who are unable to continue working due to health conditions. 'Nearly 75 per cent of EPF members aged 54 have less than RM250,000 in their accounts, translating into a retirement income of less than RM1,050 per month, which is below the national poverty line,' he said. Health-related EPF withdrawals have also increased by 41 per cent since 2015, with over RM93 million withdrawn due to incapacitation in 2023 alone, indicating systemic strain in Malaysia's retirement security model. In response to these challenges, Perkeso has implemented measures such as the Health Screening Programme for workers aged 40 and above, aimed at detecting health issues before they become irreversible, and the Return-to-Work Programme, which assists injured or ill workers in rejoining the workforce through rehabilitation and support. However, Dr Azman stressed that Perkeso's efforts alone are insufficient without broader systemic reform, calling for a new vision for retirement that reflects the diversity of working lives in Malaysia. This includes the introduction of flexible retirement pathways, partial disability options, and minimum income guarantees for those forced to exit the workforce early due to health reasons. 'We must stop treating retirement as a single number, whether 60 or 65, and instead start recognising that the ability to work is not evenly distributed,' Dr Azman said. His remarks come ahead of the World Social Security Forum (WSSF) set to take place in Kuala Lumpur on Sept 29, positioning Malaysia at a pivotal moment to address these challenges with input from global best practices. 'This global gathering is not merely a stage for policy exchange. It is a test of sincerity,' Dr Azman said, adding that Malaysia's hosting of the WSSF is an opportunity to learn from other countries facing similar demographic pressures while ensuring those who contributed to the nation's workforce are not left behind. He emphasised the need to design a future that protects all workers, including those who could not work until retirement due to health limitations, ensuring that every worker is seen, valued, and supported. 'Let us not build a future that works only for the fit and fortunate. Let us build one that holds up the weary,' he said. 'Because in the end, what is the point of being the last person standing while others did not make it?' The call for a more compassionate and realistic approach to Malaysia's retirement and social protection framework comes as the nation grapples with an ageing population, rising healthcare costs, and a workforce increasingly impacted by non-communicable diseases. This demands urgent cross-ministerial and multi-stakeholder attention to address dignified ageing and income security for all Malaysians. Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed Perkeso retirement
The Star
6 hours ago
- The Star
When dignified ageing becomes a distant dream
Dr Mohammed Azman: Malaysia's retirement model is under strain. PERKESO responds not just with payouts, but with prevention, rehabilitation and reintegration – supporting healthier, longer working lives. We often speak of retirement as a reward – a well-earned rest after years of contribution. But in Malaysia today, retirement is no longer a guarantee. For many, it is a privilege they may never reach. As the debate reopens about raising Malaysia's retirement age to 65, the assumption seems logical. Malaysians are living longer and therefore can work longer. But assumptions are not evidence. And at PERKESO, the evidence tells a sobering story. Over the last decade, invalidity claims have surged by more than 160%. In 2023, more than 52 in every 10,000 active workers filed for invalidity. These are not seniors at the edge of retirement. The average applicant is just 45 years old. This is not about a few exceptional cases. This is a pattern. And it is growing. What is more alarming is that 85% of invalidity cases paid in December 2024 were due to noncommunicable diseases – diabetes, cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, strokes. These are not injuries. They are conditions caused by years of strain, lack of preventive care and insufficient early intervention. These are workers who tried to hold on – who ignored the early warning signs, who pushed through pain to keep earning until their bodies gave out well before the system expected them to. It is easy to argue that Malaysians should work longer. But we must first ask – can they? Raising the retirement age to 65 without supporting those who exit early is like building a bridge for the lucky few while leaving everyone else to swim across. And even for those who do make it to retirement age, the road ahead is far from secure. Malaysia is among only 13 countries in the world that still depends heavily on a pure defined contribution retirement model. That means if you do not contribute, you do not accumulate. If you stop working early, you stop building a safety net. The EPF savings reality is stark. Nearly 75% of members aged 54 have less than RM250,000 in their accounts. That translates into a retirement income of less than RM1,050 per month – below the national poverty line – hoping to last for the next 20 years. This is not enough to live. It is barely enough to survive. And that pressure is now showing in the data. EPF health-based withdrawals have risen by 41% since 2015. In 2023 alone, over RM93mil was withdrawn due to incapacitation. This tells us one thing clearly – Malaysia's retirement model is straining at both ends, under the weight of longer lifespans and the rising rate of early exits due to poor health. At PERKESO, we have responded not just with payouts but with solutions. Our Health Screening Programme targets workers aged 40 and above, catching issues before they become irreversible. Our Return-to-Work Programme helps those injured or ill to rejoin the workforce through rehabilitation, career redesign and support. We are not just a compensation agency. We are a partner in prevention, recovery and resilience. But we cannot outpace the problem if the broader system does not change with us. We need a national shift. A new vision for retirement that reflects the diversity of real working lives. That includes flexible retirement pathways, partial disability options and minimum income guarantees for those forced to exit early. We must stop treating retirement as a single number, whether 60 or 65, and instead start recognising that the ability to work is not evenly distributed. Because not every worker gets to choose when they stop. For many, the body makes that decision long before the law does. Let us not design systems that reward only the strongest. Let us protect the ones who gave all they could and then quietly faded out of the workforce – unseen, unsupported and too often, unheard. As the World Social Security Forum (WSSF) draws its curtain on Sept 29 this year in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia stands at a pivotal crossroads. This global gathering is not merely a stage for policy exchange. It is a test of sincerity. As host, PERKESO welcomes the world not just with hospitality, but with humility. This is a rare opportunity for Malaysia to learn from countries with similar economies, shared demographic pressures and comparable cultural values, yet have found innovative solutions without reinventing the wheel. WSSF allows us to benchmark our systems, challenge our policies and draw collective strength from global wisdom. But more importantly, it is a platform for us to reflect honestly on where we stand and where we must go. It is a moment to decide whether we are content to manage the present or bold enough to reform for the future. But to do so, we must deliver justice to the lives that fell into the crack of our system. The ones who never made it to retirement. The ones who endured until they could no longer stand. The ones who should never have been left behind in the first place. Let us not build a future that works only for the fit and fortunate. Let us build one that holds up the weary. That sees every worker and says, even if you did not make it to the end, you were never meant to be forgotten. Because in the end, the world needs companion. What is the point of being the last person standing at the end of the line while others did not? Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed Group Chief Executive Officer PERKESO
The Sun
16 hours ago
- The Sun
Cabinet memorandum ready to tackle healthcare staffing shortages
PAPAR: The Ministry of Health (MOH) has finalised briefing notes and a memorandum for Cabinet review to tackle the critical shortage of healthcare personnel nationwide, according to Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. He stated that the ministry is prioritising the filling of 4,352 vacancies to meet public healthcare demands, as highlighted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim earlier today. 'We recognise the severity of the staffing deficit and are taking immediate action. I am personally committed to fast-tracking the conversion of contract staff to permanent roles without cohort-based delays,' Dzulkefly told reporters after attending the Community Engagement Day event at the National Information Dissemination Centre in Kampung Langkuas, Kinarut. The minister acknowledged the long-standing issue of uneven staff distribution and pledged to address it systematically. 'This inherited challenge requires urgent resolution, and we are exploring solutions to bridge the gap efficiently,' he added. Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, Ministry of Communications Secretary-General Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa, and MOH Secretary-General Datuk Seri Suriani Ahmad were also present at the event. Prime Minister Anwar earlier announced accelerated hiring for 4,352 healthcare roles, including contract doctors, to meet pressing sector needs. However, Dzulkefly clarified that while MOH advocates for these appointments, the final authority rests with the Public Service Department (JPA) and Public Services Commission (SPA). Additionally, the MOH is reinforcing staff morale by retaining the 42-hour work week for nurses, housemen, and medical officers. – Bernama
