Remembering Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi: A legacy in health

April 15, 2025

Healthcaretoday, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Malaysia Health, Healthcare innovation, Cancer Care, Vaccine production, Health tourism, Inclusive healthcare, Biotechnology, Social welfare, Dementia awareness, Health equity, Childcare support, Disability rights, HIVAIDS, National Cancer Institute,

Then Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi visits Nur Farizah Farisha, who is receiving treatment after the inauguration of Kepala Batas Hospital and the Traditional and Complementary Medicine Unit on October 27, 2007.

The passing of Malaysia's fifth Prime Minister, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, marks the end of an era characterized by significant contributions to the nation's health sector. Laid to rest at the National Heroes' Mausoleum at 2.30pm earlier today, Tun Abdullah's legacy is one of compassion, innovation, and unwavering commitment to improving the health and well-being of all Malaysians.

A compassionate leader
Born on November 26, 1939, in Bayan Lepas, Penang, Tun Abdullah was the Member of Parliament for Kepala Batas from 1978 to 2008. He became Prime Minister on October 31, 2003, after the resignation of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, and held the position until April 3, 2009. His administration was marked by a focus on the welfare of the people, particularly in the realms of health and social services.

Health initiatives in rural communities
One of Tun Abdullah's first priorities was enhancing the living standards of rural communities. In 2004, he laid the groundwork for the construction of village roads and rural clinics, ensuring that healthcare access was not limited to urban areas. His government also introduced tax incentives for employers to establish childcare centers.

Support for persons with disabilities
In a groundbreaking move, Tun Abdullah's administration provided monthly assistance to disabled students, ensuring they were not marginalized in the country's development. This included RM25 for primary and secondary students and RM300 for those in higher education. Additionally, public servants with disabled children were granted flexible working hours, demonstrating a commitment to inclusivity.

A vision for self-sufficiency
In 2005, during a convention on 'Self-Reliance in Vaccine Production in the Islamic World', Tun Abdullah announced Malaysia's ambition to achieve national self-sufficiency in vaccine production. This initiative paved the way for the establishment of the Malaysian National Institute for Natural Products, Vaccines, and Biologicals, which became a focal point for research and development in the field.

Building on this momentum, the National Biotechnology Policy was officially launched on April 28, 2005, during the BioMalaysia 2005 conference. This policy placed significant emphasis on healthcare biotechnology as a key area to leverage Malaysia's biodiversity, aiming to commercialize innovations in health-related natural products and bio-generic drugs. Developed by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation Malaysia (MOSTI), it served as a driving force behind the creation of the Malaysian Biotech Corporation.

Moreover, the focus on pharmaceutical and nutraceutical sectors—particularly those derived from medicinal herbs—was a crucial aspect of Malaysia's strategy to advance its healthcare biotechnology initiatives during this period. Together, these efforts underscored Malaysia's commitment to enhancing its capabilities in biotechnology and healthcare.

Following Tun Abdullah's budget speech in 2005, the subsequent year witnessed the establishment of a Health Tourism Unit under the Ministry of Health. This initiative aimed to enhance the quality of health services in Malaysia to attract more international patients seeking private healthcare. Concurrently, efforts were made to gain international recognition for local private hospitals and promote their services.

Streamlining healthcare transactions through ICT integration
To facilitate interactions between the public and government agencies, the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) was expanded to hospitals. This included the introduction of e-Payment systems, allowing patients to make transactions using credit cards at counters and online. These advancements not only expedited payment processes but also encouraged the nationwide adoption of e-Payment solutions.

In terms of social welfare, financial assistance for the elderly and less fortunate was increased from RM135 to RM200 per month. Similarly, support for orphans and impoverished children rose from RM80 to RM100 per child each month, while the maximum assistance per family increased from RM350 to RM450 monthly.

To improve the welfare of children in rural areas, contributions for TABIKA under KEMAS were raised from 60 sen to RM1.50 daily per student. A balanced meal program was also launched, benefiting 20,000 rural households facing extreme poverty.

Additionally, RM85 million was allocated for the completion of hospitals in Alor Setar and Cameron Highlands, while RM229 million was designated for the construction and upgrading of clinics across the nation. Hospital laboratories and equipment received an upgrade with an allocation of RM131 million.

To address the rising number of HIV/AIDS cases, Tun Abdullah proposed the formation of an advisory panel within the Ministry of Health. This panel, comprising representatives from NGOs such as the Malaysian AIDS Council and PENGASIH, as well as other government agencies, was tasked with developing an integrated action plan to combat HIV/AIDS. This included increasing awareness and prevention programs, as well as providing support for those affected by the disease.

Groundbreaking for 9-Bio
In September of the same year, during the groundbreaking ceremony for the National Institute of Natural Products, Vaccines, and Biologicals (9-Bio) in Enstek, Negeri Sembilan, Tun Abdullah announced that the institute would focus on strategies for vaccine sufficiency and security to prevent health crisis. He envisioned 9-Bio not only as a production facility but also as a center for research and development of new vaccines targeting diseases prevalent in Malaysia.

The launch of the 9th Malaysia Plan further emphasized commercialization and reorganized the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation's research and development efforts. This led to the establishment of four commercialization-focused R&D centers: the National Institute of Natural Products, Vaccines and Biologicals (9-Bio), the National Institute of Pharmaceuticals and Nutraceuticals, the National Institute of Agro-Biotechnology, and the National Institute of Genomics.

In December 2006, Tun Abdullah inaugurated the Innobiologics C.G.M.P. Manufacturing Plant in Nilai. The opening of this plant catalyzed the development of biotechnology contract manufacturing in Malaysia. Tun Abdullah envisioned the area surrounding the plant as a future biotechnology cluster, complete with medical and research institutes as well as a dedicated biotechnology park.

This initiative led to the emergence of the first batch of BioNexus status companies, including:

Malaysian Bio-Diagnostic Research Sdn Bhd (specializing in medical diagnostic kits)
KL Biotech Manufacturing Sdn Bhd (developing supplements and pharmaceuticals derived from Malaysian herbs)
Vivantis Technologies Sdn Bhd (R&D and production of enzymes and biological products)
Nova Laboratories Sdn Bhd (development of plant-based pharmaceuticals)
I.P.T. KOSMO Sdn Bhd (patented technology for wastewater treatment)
The Asiatic Centre for Genome Technology Sdn Bhd (genome sequencing and biomarker discovery)

The National Cancer Institute
On January 9, 2007, Tun Abdullah commissioned Malaysia's first purpose-built public institution for cancer treatment, the National Cancer Institute, in memory of his late wife, Tun Endon Mahmood, who succumbed to breast cancer in 2005. This institution symbolizes his dedication to advancing cancer care in Malaysia.

Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's contributions to the health sector have left an indelible mark on Malaysia's healthcare landscape. His vision for a healthier nation continues to inspire current and future leaders. As we remember his legacy, we honor the values of compassion, equity, and innovation that he championed throughout his life.

References:
Datuk Seri Abdullah Bin Haji Ahmad Badawi
Perutusan Bajet 2004 Ketika Membentangkan Rang Undang-undang Perbekalan (2004), Dewan Negara, 10-11-2003

Datuk Seri Abdullah Bin Haji Ahmad Badawi
Self Reliance in Vaccine Production in the Islamic World, Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, 15-04-2005

Datuk Seri Abdullah Bin Haji Ahmad Badawi
The ground breaking ceremony for the National Institute of Natural Products, Vaccines and Biologicals (9-BIO), Enstek, Negeri Sembilan, 04-09-2006

https://www.mida.gov.my/biotechnology-industry-in-malaysia/

Datuk Seri Abdullah Bin Haji Ahmad Badawi
The official launch of BioMalaysia 2006, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, 06-12-2006

Datuk Seri Abdullah Bin Haji Ahmad Badawi
Keynote address at the official launch of the Kuala Lumpur O.I.C. Health Ministerial Conference 2007, Hotel Sunway Lagoon Resort & Spa, Selangor, 14-06-2007

Datuk Seri Abdullah Bin Haji Ahmad Badawi
Speech at the Mid-Term Review Ninth Malaysia Plan 2006 - 2010, 26/6/2008, Dewan Rakyat, Parliament, 07-09-2007

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