Terimakasih saya ucapkan kepada pihak kementerian atas peluang berkongsi pendapat ini. Saya bersetuju sepenuhnya bahawa penggubalan Akta baharu ini adalah sangat penting bagi meningkatkan keselamatan pesakit serta menutup jurang kawal selia yang sedia ada dalam sektor PT&K. Undang-undang ini akan membantu memastikan setiap fasiliti dan pengamal beroperasi mengikut piawaian yang selamat, beretika dan bertanggungjawab. Selain itu, saya ingin menekankan bahawa bagi negeri Sabah, pengamal perubatan anak negeri Sabah wajar dipantau dan dibimbing melalui mekanisme rasmi di bawah Kementerian, dengan penglibatan institusi akademik seperti Institut Biologi Tropika dan Pemuliharaan iaitu ITBC (Universiti Malaysia Sabah). Hal ini penting kerana institusi akademik memiliki kepakaran berpusat, pengalaman teknikal dan keupayaan penyelidikan yang lebih mendalam dalam memastikan standard/piawaian amalan sentiasa selamat, terkini dan berasaskan bukti. Walaupun amalan perubatan masyarakat Sabah banyak berasaskan budaya dan tradisi tempatan, usaha perlu dilakukan secara tersusun dan berfokus agar sektor ini kekal relevan di peringkat antarabangsa. Sehubungan itu, melalui kepakaran akademiknya seperti ITBC (UMS) wajar berperanan sebagai peneraju utama (pihak utama yang memimpin dan menyelaras) dalam pembangunan sektor ini. ITBC perlu memimpin pelaksanaan standard, penyelidikan, dokumentasi dan penilaian keselamatan amalan, manakala komuniti, NGO dan agensi kerajaan negeri berperanan sebagai rakan strategik yang menyokong pelaksanaan di peringkat akar umbi.

Pendekatan ini penting bagi mewujudkan satu ekosistem perubatan tradisional yang selamat, berstandard atau berpiawaian, berasaskan bukti dan diiktiraf di peringkat antarabangsa, tanpa menghakis nilai budaya dan warisan tempatan.

As a future T&CM practitioner currently pursuing my Master’s degree at Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, I highly appreciate the Ministry of Health's commitment to enhancing professionalism and patient safety through this regulatory initiative. My academic focus has centered on specialized External Chinese Medicine Therapies, which include high-risk procedures such as Fire Needling (Huo Zhen), Bloodletting (Cupping/Pricking), and Acupoint Injection. These techniques are widely and effectively applied in Dermatology and Acupuncture clinics to address complex conditions. I am keenly aware that their efficacy is matched by their stringent demands on the practitioner's skill, the operating environment, and procedural safety. Therefore, while supporting the new regulation, I urge the authorities to use this consultation opportunity to address the current 'grey area' regarding the scope of practice for high-risk T&CM procedures, ensuring the new legislation covers both facility safety and professional legality.

My central request is that the future Facility Act or its subsidiary regulations must explicitly recognize and define the lawful scope of practice for registered T&CM practitioners who possess qualified training (such as the systematic education I am receiving overseas) to perform these high-risk external therapies, thereby removing uncertainty for us as future practitioners. I propose that facility licensing be linked to the practitioner's qualification: a facility should only be permitted to offer services like Fire Needling or Bloodletting if it employs a registered practitioner who has secured a specialized clinical competency certificate issued by the T&CM Council. Furthermore, facilities approved for these high-risk services must be held to a higher standard, mandating specific requirements such as a designated sterile operating area, adherence to stringent medical device sterilization standards, and the availability of emergency response equipment. This integrated regulatory framework will not only guarantee patient safety but also provide a clear, legal professional pathway for highly trained future talents, ensuring the quality of Malaysia's T&CM services aligns with international best practices.

I would like to begin by expressing my sincere appreciation to the Ministry of Health for its continuous efforts to engage stakeholders and the public in shaping policies related to Traditional and Complementary Medicine (T&CM).
I strongly recommend that the Ministry review the current process of premises licensing administered by local councils. Presently, different councils enforce varying requirements, and some impose costly or impractical conditions, including high deposits, annual fees, and differing documentation standards. These inconsistencies are often compounded by officers’ limited familiarity with T&CM practices, leading to unnecessary or irrelevant requirements.

Medical clinics can obtain their licenses directly from the Ministry of Health. Therefore, the Ministry might consider a similar centralized mechanism for T&CM premises licensing. Alternatively, issuing standardized guidelines to all local councils could harmonize expectations and prevent T&CM establishments from being misclassified alongside unrelated services such as massage parlours. Training or awareness programs for local council officers on the T&CM Act and recognized practice categories could also greatly improve consistency and understanding.

While I appreciate the clarity and effort reflected in the drafted guidelines, I hope the Ministry will consider a reasonable grace period before enforcing the requirements under Ketetapan Kawasan untuk Penyediaan Perkhidmatan. Many premises may require significant renovations to achieve compliance, and such modifications may not be permissible under existing tenancy agreements. For example, the requirement for piping and a hand-wash basin in every room does not align with the operational needs of certain professions, such as chiropractic practice. I kindly request that the Ministry recognize the diverse nature of T&CM professions and allow flexibility, phased compliance, or profession-specific requirements where appropriate.

There are ongoing concerns regarding individuals who present themselves as “Chiropractors” or providers of chiropractic care without appropriate qualifications. Despite multiple reports made to the Ministry, some continue to operate and mislead the public. A recent complaint involved a physiotherapist claiming to be a chiropractor based on offering bone-setting services. The response received from the T&CM Unit was to forward the complaint to the Allied Health Division, as it falls under their jurisdiction. This fragmented approach may hinder effective enforcement and creates gaps in public protection. I strongly urge the Ministry to streamline complaint handling across relevant divisions to ensure cohesive oversight, safeguard the integrity of the profession, and prevent the spread of misinformation or unsafe practices.

I would also like to highlight a longstanding concern regarding insurance coverage for T&CM services in Malaysia. Although T&CM is formally recognized by the Ministry of Health as a legitimate practice area, many insurance providers still exclude these services from coverage. This discrepancy raises the question of whether the Ministry is actively engaging with insurers or relevant authorities to address the gap.

Last but not the least, to enhance public safety and informed decision-making, I propose the establishment of a publicly accessible verification portal listing all registered T&CM practitioners under the T&CM Council.

Dalam "4. Kawalan Infeksi (Paling Penting dalam Operasi Harian)", untuk "Penyaringan pesakit: Tanya secara ringkas sama ada pesakit mempunyai gejala penyakit berjangkit seperti demam atau batuk sebelum rawatan. Jika ragu-ragu, cadangkan mereka berjumpa doktor perubatan konvensional (Western) terlebih dahulu."

Dalam rawatan perubatan tradisional Cina (TCM), ia sebenarnya adalah kekuatan utama, mengapa perlu bersusah payah mengesyorkan pesakit untuk berjumpa doktor perubatan konvensional terlebih dahulu? Semasa pandemik, majoriti pesakit di China, Malaysia dan banyak negara lain bergantung pada rawatan dan pemulihan sindrom pasca-COVID melalui perubatan tradisional Cina dan herba.

The proposed T&CM Facilities and Services Act is a welcome and necessary step to ensure patient safety, professionalism, and accountability within Malaysia’s growing traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) sector. However, several critical issues must be addressed to make this law effective and fair.

Currently, the T&CM Act 2016 does not adequately protect licensed, qualified practitioners—particularly chiropractors—who undergo years of accredited international training. Instead, unregulated individuals such as bone setters and “bekam” practitioners have proliferated across Malaysia, using chiropractic techniques and equipment without formal education or supervision. Many falsely advertise themselves as chiropractors, yet KKM lacks the legal authority to take enforcement action.

This unregulated environment presents serious public safety risks and undermines the credibility of the chiropractic profession. If the Ministry’s goal is truly to protect patients, the new Act must make it illegal for unqualified individuals to treat or manipulate patients and empower KKM to prosecute and close unlicensed facilities.

A dedicated facilities act will ensure that only trained, recognised practitioners may operate or work in clinics involving direct patient contact. It should also specify that chiropractic equipment and manual therapy techniques can only be used by licensed chiropractors in approved facilities, mirroring protections granted to medical doctors under the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act (PHFSA 1998).

Importantly, this Act—together with the T&CM Act 2016—will allow insurance providers to cover Chiropractic and T&CM services delivered by licensed practitioners in licensed facilities, giving patients affordable access to legitimate care. It will also enable this sector to qualify for tax and SST exemption, as applied under the PHFSA, acknowledging T&CM as an integral part of Malaysia’s formal healthcare ecosystem.

However, the new law must not simply copy the PHFSA, as many of its hospital-based requirements are not relevant to community-level T&CM clinics. The framework must be fit for purpose, balancing safety with practicality. Consultation should include active practitioners, not just professional associations, as many chiropractors no longer maintain memberships due to dissatisfaction with representation.

Equally important, the Act should include a “grandfather clause” to protect existing, legally established clinics from unnecessary new burdens. Transitional provisions should allow compliant clinics to continue operating while progressively meeting updated facility standards.

Lastly, the Act must provide strong provisions against false advertising and impersonation, particularly on digital platforms, where unqualified individuals frequently mislead the public by claiming to be chiropractors.

In summary, this Act represents a crucial opportunity to close enforcement gaps, protect the public, and professionalise the T&CM sector. By including provisions for patient safety, enforcement, insurance recognition, tax parity, practitioner consultation, and transitional protection, it can strengthen Malaysia’s healthcare system and ensure that no one treats a patient without proper training and a licensed facility.