Malaysia has taken a major step forward in advanced healthcare and rehabilitation with the launch of the Sultan Nazrin Shah Perkeso Rehabilitation Centre in Bandar Meru Raya, Ipoh, a state-of-the-art facility described as the largest rehabilitation centre of its kind in Southeast Asia.
Officially opened by the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, the centre combines cutting-edge neuro-robotic and cybernics technologies to help patients recover from severe injuries, workplace accidents and chronic illnesses.
Spanning 38.47 acres within a larger 92.79-acre development, the futuristic facility has the capacity to accommodate up to 700 patients at any one time and provide treatment to approximately 3,000 patients annually.
Human Resources Minister R. Ramanan said the centre has already treated 1,095 patients since beginning operations in July 2025.
The patients received treatment for a range of conditions, including workplace accidents, occupational diseases, spinal cord injuries and non-communicable illnesses such as stroke.
Built at a cost of nearly RM1 billion, construction of the rehabilitation complex began in May 2022 and was completed within four years. The development consists of 13 main blocks, including treatment facilities, accommodation units and specialised rehabilitation centres.
According to Ramanan, the facility was inspired by the intricate beauty of Tekat Timbul Benang Emas, a traditional Malay embroidery art form, while incorporating advanced technology and environmentally sustainable design.
The centre has also earned the prestigious Platinum GreenRE certification, the highest rating awarded under Malaysia’s green building assessment system.
One of the facility’s most remarkable features is its extensive use of neuro-robotic technology. The centre houses the largest number of Cyberdyne Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL) devices in the world through a strategic collaboration between Perkeso and Japan’s Cyberdyne Corporation.
A total of 65 Cyberdyne units, including lower limb, single-joint and lumbar support devices, have been deployed to assist patients undergoing rehabilitation.
Ramanan said the centre is expected to emerge as a global referral hub for neuro-robotic rehabilitation and a regional Centre of Excellence, offering 151 specialised services ranging from cybernics treatment and neuromodulation to advanced return-to-work programmes.
The facility also features several groundbreaking technologies, including the Advanced Biomechanics Rehabilitation Platform, which integrates robotics, virtual reality and motion simulation to accelerate recovery.
Another key attraction is the Advanced Movement Analysis Laboratory, the first of its kind in Malaysia, equipped with motion capture systems, force plates and electromyography (EMG) technology to analyse patient movement with exceptional precision.
Beyond medical rehabilitation, the centre focuses on helping patients rebuild their lives and careers. Through vocational rehabilitation programmes, participants receive training in technical skills, culinary arts, administration, entrepreneurship, creative industries and beauty services.
Industry partnerships further enhance employability by providing practical workplace experience in areas such as barista training, culinary arts and small business development.
Patients are also connected directly to employment opportunities through Perkeso’s MYFutureJobs platform, helping them reintegrate into the workforce after recovery.
The rehabilitation ecosystem also includes a Motorcycle Safety Training Track under the Centre for Applied Prevention in Social Security (CAPSS), designed to improve road safety awareness among workers in high-risk industries.
Ramanan noted that between 30 and 35 per cent of Perkeso contributors receiving rehabilitation treatment since 2014 have come from Malaysia’s northern region, highlighting the need for expanded rehabilitation services in the area.
He added that upcoming protection initiatives such as Lindung24, the Gig Workers Act 2025 and a proposed Traveller Scheme are expected to significantly increase claims, potentially driving case numbers up by 200 per cent from the current average of around 170,000 annually.
With demand for rehabilitation services continuing to rise, the new centre is expected to play a crucial role in transforming Malaysia’s healthcare and social protection landscape.
“Our goal is not only to help patients recover physically, but also to rebuild their confidence, restore their ability to work and enable them to contribute productively to the nation once again,” Ramanan said.
