On 5 August, AMCHAM held a members briefing centered around the AmChams of Asia Pacific (AAP) Washington D.C. Doorknock 2022. This session was conducted virtually and featured AMCHAM’s CEO Siobhan Das along with Steven Okun (Steve), AAP Chair & Senior Advisor, McLarty Associates; Abdul Rahman Abu Haniffa, Government Engagement Director, GE Malaysia; Dave Mitchell, Vice President, Global Customer Experience, Boston Scientific; and Cash McCracken, Vice President of Global Government Affairs, Seagate Technology.

The AAP Washington D.C. Doorknock is an annual event where representatives and members of different AmChams within the Asia Pacific region come under the AAP umbrella to meet with the U.S. Government officials, Members of Congress and Senate, and other thought-leaders who help determine the future of U.S. policy towards the region. 

Siobhan updated members on what happened in this year’s Washington Doorknock, the issues raised and the response from the U.S. side; whilst Steve spoke more on the U.S. handling of trade in Asia and the likely direction. Guest speakers Abdul, Cash and Dave each shared their experience with this year’s Washington Doorknock.  

Special thanks to all our speakers, especially Steve who called from Singapore as well as Dave and Cash dialed in from the U.S. for making time for this special Members’ Briefing session.

Kuala Lumpur, July 28, 2022 –, Premier global nutrition company, Herbalife Nutrition, recently concluded a 12-week Nutrition for Zero Hunger (NFZH) STAR Program, reaching close to 90 vulnerable children in Malaysia. The participating children were from the three beneficiaries of the Casa Herbalife Nutrition program in Malaysia, namely Amitabha Charity Orphanage, Good Samaritan Home and Pusat Jagaan Kanak-Kanak Yatim/Miskin Rukaiyah.

Through the NFZH STAR Program, Herbalife Nutrition is supporting the Government’s efforts to improve the health and nutritional well-being of Malaysians in line with the 12^th Malaysia Plan (2021-2025), as well as the recent special committee that was set up to combat multiple nutrition gaps amongst children. This includes the problem of stunted growth, which according to the Ministry of Health Malaysia has become a worrying nationwide issue.

Steven Chin, Senior Director/General Manager, Herbalife Nutrition Malaysia and Singapore, said, “Recent reports indicate that malnutrition in Malaysian children has been exacerbated by the pandemic. Through our NFZH STAR Programme, we hope more children in Malaysia will be able to make healthier nutrition choices, contributing to the Government’s vision to reduce the rate of malnutrition in children nationwide to 8% by 2030, compared with the current rate of 21.8% as reported by the 2019 National Health and Morbidity Survey.”

With the aim of reducing child hunger and malnutrition through nutrition education, the NFZH STAR Program aims to instill healthy lifestyle habits with a reward system to incentivise participants. A series of tasks comprising nutrition and exercise quizzes and challenges were provided to the children during the 12-week period, and for every task completed, children received a stamp reward. At the end of the program, a prize-giving ceremony was held to celebrate the children’s achievements.

During the prize-giving ceremony, Mei Hui, 14, from Amitabha Charity Orphanage said, “My favourite activity from the NFZH STAR program has got to be the Nutrition and Exercise Workshop. Not only did I learn more about healthy eating, but I also had fun exercising with my friends. By consuming more fruits and vegetables and keeping up with my daily exercise routine, I am happy to share that I am more focused at school.”

Observing a positive change in one of the children, Mr. Chong Tzer Bin, Principal of Amitabha Charity Orphanage said, “We have had first-hand experience of caring for children with nutritional deficiencies. When Anthony first came to our home, his body was very weak and was underweight. Thanks to the NFZH STAR Program which encourages our children to eat nutritious meals and exercise regularly, Anthony has become more active and cheerful, and has achieved the ideal height and weight for his age.”

Also commenting on the program, Puan Siti Eshah binti Din, Manager of Pusat Jagaan Kanak-Kanak Yatim/Miskin Rukaiyah, said, “Since the NFZH STAR Programme was implemented, our children have been taking their health and lifestyle more seriously. We know that consuming a healthy, balanced diet can help build a smart brain. Our children are now more careful when choosing what to eat and can make healthier food choices on their own. Nutritious food helps shape a smart generation and we thank Herbalife Nutrition for bringing this to light.”

2 August 2022, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Many countries are recording an increase in dengue. Over the last 20 years, cases have risen more than 8 fold, impacting tens of millions of people globally.[1] International SOS, the world’s leading security and health services company, has seen a 92% increase in dengue-related cases this year compared to last year and therefore encourages organisations to step up their dengue prevention programmes and protect their communities and workforce against the disease.

According to the Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr Noor Hisham bin Abdullah, Director General of Health Malaysia, between 1 January and 16 July 2022, the country reported 27,915 dengue cases compared to 15,226 cases for the same period in 2021, which is an increase of 12,689 cases (83.3%), while 19 deaths due to dengue fever complications were reported compared to nine deaths in the same period last year (111.1% increase).[2]

Dr Chan Yanjun, Medical Director, Singapore & Malaysia, International SOS, shared, “Dengue is an increasing problem, with more cases, outbreaks becoming larger and more common, and the disease appearing in new areas. This is evident in Malaysia with the spike in cases reported so far this year. We all have a part to play to help reduce the number of cases and organisations need to be involved in mosquito control and infection prevention measures, as well as promoting and spreading dengue awareness among the community. Community empowerment is a key aspect of the strategy, as it allows the local population to drive the eradication of the disease in their environment.”

Dr Chan continued, “Whilst the reasons are complex, urbanisation and climate change may be contributing to the expanding global distribution and longer transmission seasons. Dengue, like most illnesses, causes a spectrum of diseases – it can be very mild, while some people will experience strong headaches, high fever and rash. In the most severe cases, it can progress to bleeding and organ failure which can be fatal.”

Dengue is now consistently present in over 100 countries across the planet and is “the leading cause of serious illness and death in some Asian and Latin American countries”. Asia is reported to represent around 70% of the global burden of the disease.[3] 

Dr Chan added, “Not only is there an impact on infected individuals, outbreaks of dengue can impact healthcare systems when there is a surge in people requiring medical attention and hospitalisation. This is on top of the significant challenges our healthcare systems continue to face due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Everyone needs to be aware of, and practising, measures to prevent dengue infections and transmission, including organisations that are operating in dengue-affected areas, and those sending travellers to them.”

Best practice is for organisations to be involved in mosquito control and infection prevention measures to reduce community transmission of dengue. These measures may include promoting awareness of the signs and symptoms of the disease among employees, encouraging good practices for dengue prevention and establishing coordination with local communities to support mosquito control programmes.

Tips to Reduce The Risk of Dengue – Prevent mosquito bites and reduce the risk of mosquitoes breeding:

• Cover up bare skin – wear clothing that covers as much skin as practical. Don’t forget feet and ankles.
• Use an effective insect repellent.
• Avoid areas where mosquitoes breed – anywhere with stagnant water such as drains and ponds.
• Keep mosquitoes out of your accommodation – close windows and doors. If you need to have windows and doors open ensure that you have mosquito screens closed. Use “knock-down” insect spray to kill mosquitoes in your room.
• Keep your accommodation free of mosquito breeding areas – containers and dishes that hold even a small amount of water can breed mosquitoes. Dishes under potted plants are notorious culprits.

[1]  World Health Organization – Dengue and Severe Dengue Fact Sheets (2022)

[2]  Ministry of Health Malaysia  – Kenyataan Media Ketua Pengarah Kesihatan Malaysia – Situasi Semasa Demam Denggi Di Malaysia Minggu Epidemiologi 28/2022 (10 – 16 Julai 2022)

[3]  European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control – Dengue

AMCHAM was invited to witness the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Silicon-Valley-based Seeloz Inc. (Seeloz) with Collaborative Research in Engineering, Science and Technology Centre (CREST) in the presence of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) and in the presence of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) as well as witnessed by Microsoft Malaysia earlier today.

This initiative aims to launch Empower Malaysia, a national initiative to boost resilience within major value chains in Malaysia through AI-Driven Supply Chain Automation in collaboration with the State of Penang.

Congratulations to Seeloz!

On 27 July, AMCHAM held its Healthcare Forum 2022 amidst a dramatic day when parts of the country were hit by a massive power failure. Despite the unexpected adjustments to the schedule, the Forum, organized by AMCHAM’s Healthcare and Lifesciences Committee, brought together an ensemble of expert speakers within the industry to discuss Malaysia’s healthcare system and its future directions in a program themed: “Charting the Future of Healthcare in Malaysia”. 

YB Khairy Jamaluddin, Minister of Health who attended as our guest of honor, spoke with aplomb given the circumstances, about the country’s healthcare system in Malaysia, how much was learned dealing with COVID-19 and what direction he is looking to take it for a healthier Malaysia. Delivered with grace in partial darkness and with no technology support, his remarks were well received by members and guests.  

The Forum that started in the morning, featured two panels and a special presentation.  

The first panel discussed healthcare financing and the need for a rebalance in the country’s public / private participation in healthcare services and delivery. COVID-19 pandemic impacted the healthcare system and exposed opportunities that may not have been seen or even envisioned, it was time to learn from those lessons.  Crucial components to the improvement of the healthcare system were discussed here with panelists Dr. Rozita Halina binti Tun Hussein, Director, Planning, Division, Ministry of Health; Datuk Dr. Kuljit Singh, President, Association of Private Hospitals of Malaysia; Antony Lee Chairman, General Insurance Association of Malaysia (PIAM); CEO, AIG Malaysia; Chairman, AMCHAM and Sarah Ong, General Manager, Core Diagnostics (CRDx), Abbott Malaysia. This session was moderated by Azrul Mohd Khalib, Chief Executive, Galen Centre for Health & Social Policy.

A special presentation was conducted by Professor Dr. Wong Chee Piau, President, Digital Health Malaysia on the evolving digital healthcare landscape. Professor Dr. Wong then proceeded to join the second panel discussion of the forum along with panelists Fabian Bigar, CEO, MyDigital; Kanageswari Govindaraju, Chief Operating Officer, Doctor2U; and Dr. Yanjun Chan, Medical Director, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur Assistance Centers of International SOS (M) Sdn Bhd, moderated by Hasnul Nadzrin Shah, Director – Government and Regulatory Affairs – Indonesia, Brunei and Malaysia, IBM Malaysia. This panel discussion centered around digital health, its growth over the last few years and the initiatives from the private sector that are impacting Malaysia’s digital healthcare. 

AMCHAM would like to thank all our Forum participants for their insightful discussions and a very big thank you to YB Khairy Jamaluddin for not only attending the event amidst a busy schedule but for affording us his time in the midst of unexpected circumstances.  All this would not be possible without our event sponsors – Abbott, Novartis, Pfizer, Davita, GSK, International SOS, Johnson & Johnson, and Viatris.