By Rosli Mansor Ahmad Razali
IPOH: The Japanese government has described the PERKESO Sultan Nazrin Shah Rehabilitation Centre in Meru Raya as one of the best facilities it has seen, acknowledging that it would be difficult to find a similar centre in Japan on such a large scale.
Japan’s Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare, Ueno Kenichiro, said the rehabilitation centre was not only focused on patient recovery but was also equipped with advanced technology, including neuro-robotic equipment based on Japan’s Cybernic system.
“I am very impressed, as this is a highly advanced and sophisticated facility. Even in Japan, it is difficult to find a facility like this on such a large scale,” he said.
He said this during a press conference held in conjunction with his official visit to the centre here today.
Also present were Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) Board chairman Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal, PERKESO Board member Tan Sri Mohd Annuar Zaini and PERKESO Rehabilitation Centre executive director Datuk Dr Hafez Hussain.
The visit coincided with Kenichiro’s participation in the 17th ASEAN Health Ministers’ Meeting, which is taking place in Kuala Lumpur from Sept 10 to 12.
Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia Shikata Noriyuki and delegates from Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare also joined the visit.
Kenichiro said the visit also aimed to review the use of the Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL) technology developed in Japan and its application within Malaysia’s rehabilitation system.
He said the centre currently has about 62 HAL units, which are used to assist patients in their recovery process.
“I am pleased to see Japanese technology being utilised here and hope more facilities in Malaysia can introduce this technology so that more patients can benefit from it,” he said.
He also praised the centre’s holistic approach, which not only provides rehabilitation treatment but also vocational training and counselling to help patients return to work.
“I hope Malaysia-Japan relations can continue to be strengthened, particularly in the areas of technology, expertise and human resource development,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mohd Annuar said the visit would catalyse closer cooperation between the two countries.
He said PERKESO hoped cooperation involving the exchange of technology, expertise and manpower could be further enhanced in the future.
“We are greatly honoured that he took about five hours to travel from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh to visit this centre, which also demonstrates recognition of PERKESO’s capabilities,” he said.
He said the visit was also the first by a foreign minister to the rehabilitation centre.
“This is a source of pride for the country, and we hope ties with Japan will continue to be strengthened for mutual benefit,” he said.
The PERKESO Sultan Nazrin Shah Rehabilitation Centre in Meru Raya began operations in July 2025 and was officially proclaimed as the largest neuro-robotics and cybernics rehabilitation centre in Southeast Asia.
For the record, from 2025 to August 2026, 75.11 percent of patients who received rehabilitation treatment at PERKESO rehabilitation centres nationwide successfully returned to work.
They comprised patients with various conditions, including musculoskeletal injuries, occupational diseases, spinal cord injuries and non-communicable diseases such as stroke.
