By Rosli Mansor Ahmad Razali
IPOH, June 16 — The National Neuro-Robotic and Cybernics Rehabilitation Centre operated by the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) has been officially proclaimed as the Sultan Nazrin Shah PERKESO Rehabilitation Centre.
Built at a cost of nearly RM1 billion, the facility is the largest rehabilitation centre in Southeast Asia and is poised to become a new landmark in Malaysia’s rehabilitation medicine sector.
The centre was officially inaugurated by the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, during a ceremonial event held in Bandar Meru Raya here today.
Spanning 38.47 acres, the facility was developed from May 2, 2022, and completed in less than four years. It comprises 13 main blocks, including accommodation facilities, a Traditional and Complementary Medicine Centre (TCMC), and a Motorcycle Safety Training Track (MSTT).
The centre also incorporates elements of Perak’s cultural heritage through the use of traditional Tekat Timbul Benang Emas embroidery motifs, blended with a modern, futuristic design that reflects its identity as a next-generation rehabilitation facility.
Following the inauguration, Sultan Nazrin toured several high-tech rehabilitation facilities featuring advanced robotic systems from Japan under a strategic collaboration between PERKESO and Cyberdyne Japan.
Also in attendance were the Raja Muda of Perak, Raja Jaafar Raja Muda Musa, and the Raja Di Hilir of Perak, Raja Iskandar Dzurkarnain Sultan Idris A’fifullah Shah, who accompanied the Sultan during the visit.
The event was also attended by Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad and Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Ramanan Ramakrishnan.
In his speech, Ramanan said the centre is expected to become the region’s largest rehabilitation hub and a global centre of excellence for PERKESO’s Return to Work (RTW) Programme.
Among the advanced technologies deployed at the facility are the Cyberdyne Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL), the Metamotus Galileo Advanced Biomechanics Rehabilitation Platform, and the Advanced Movement Analysis Laboratory.
“The centre is equipped with 65 Cyberdyne units, making it one of the largest facilities in the world for Hybrid Assistive Limb technology,” he said.
Ramanan added that the centre offers 151 comprehensive rehabilitation services, including paediatric and geriatric rehabilitation, advanced RTW programmes, and vocational rehabilitation.
He said the facility’s establishment is timely following the expansion of PERKESO’s protection schemes, including the 24-Hour Coverage initiative and the Gig Workers Act 2025, which are expected to increase claims by up to 200 per cent compared with the previous average of 170,000 cases annually.
Since commencing phased operations on July 22, 2025, the centre has treated 1,095 patients suffering from musculoskeletal injuries, spinal cord injuries, occupational diseases and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as stroke.
With a capacity to accommodate 700 patients at any one time, the facility is capable of treating up to 3,000 patients annually while further strengthening the effectiveness of the RTW programme, which has helped more than 100,900 individuals return to employment since 2007.
“This increase in demand requires more advanced and integrated rehabilitation capacity to ensure contributors receive the best possible treatment and can return to being productive members of the workforce,” he said.
