KUALA LUMPUR, July 3 — A media roundtable convened last Tuesday brought together leading voices in public health, economics, Islamic scholarship, and media to reframe Malaysia’s national narrative on harm reduction.
Organised by the Malaysian AIDS Foundation (MAF), in collaboration with the Harm Reduction Action Network (HaRAN), Humanise Malaysia, and supported by the Yayasan Sime Darby, Ministry of Finance Malaysia, and MAC Cosmetics, the session served as a platform for constructive dialogue and strategic repositioning of harm reduction as a national health and social imperative.
Deputy Health Minister Lukanisman Awang Sauni highlighted Malaysia’s long-standing success in harm reduction — especially through the Needle and Syringe Exchange Programme (NSEP) and Methadone Maintenance Therapy — in reducing HIV transmission and improving healthcare access among marginalised communities.
“These are not just interventions — they are investments,” he said. “Since 2005, we have witnessed a more than 70 per cent reduction in HIV cases among people who inject drugs.”
He added that the core principles of harm reduction can and should be extended to address non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease — conditions often driven by modifiable risk factors like tobacco use, poor diet, and physical inactivity.
“By promoting measures such as reducing sugar consumption or encouraging safer alternatives to smoking, we are offering practical, stepwise solutions for better health,” he said. “Every ringgit spent on prevention saves significantly more in future treatment costs.”
He further cited findings from the World Bank and the Centre of Excellence for Research in AIDS (CERiA), which show that from 2006 to 2013, Malaysia saved nearly RM45 million in projected HIV treatment costs through NSEP.
From 2013 to 2023, these savings are estimated to exceed RM200 million. The return on investment (ROI) for NSEP during this period was RM3.18 for every RM1 spent — reinforcing that harm reduction is not just a moral or health imperative, but a sound economic strategy.
The roundtable also reaffirmed that harm reduction is a holistic strategy — not limited to specific communities — that improves health outcomes, reduces public spending, and upholds human dignity.
Muhammed Abdul Khalid, economist and Fellow at the Institute of Malaysian and International Studies (IKMAS), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, highlighted the broader economic implications of preventable diseases.
“Malaysia loses RM64.2 billion annually due to preventable conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and HIV — not just from treatment costs, but due to lost productivity, absenteeism, and premature deaths,” he said. “Investing in prevention, including harm reduction, is not just life-saving — it’s key to long-term economic resilience.”
Dr Anita Suleiman, President of HaRAN, called for a shift away from punitive or moralistic interpretations of public health.
“We must stop viewing harm reduction through a narrow or negative lens. It’s not about condoning behaviour — it’s about saving lives,” she said. “Whether through clean needle programmes, methadone therapy, or other evidence-based approaches, harm reduction is rooted in science and compassion.”
She added that these efforts are not permissive, but protective — helping people safeguard their health and reconnect with care, free from fear or stigma.
In a landmark session combining economic and Islamic viewpoints, Sahibus Samahah Tuan Ahmad Fauwaz Fadzil, Mufti Wilayah Persekutuan, reflected on how harm reduction approach aligns with the objectives of societal peace (maqasid al-salam) as well as the Maqasid al-Shariah — particularly the principles of ḥifẓ al-nafs (preservation of life) and raf‘ al-ḥaraj (alleviation of hardship).”
“In Islam, preserving life is not simply a virtue — it is a divine imperative. Interventions that reduce harm and restore dignity should be seen through the lens of mercy and responsibility,” he said.
The Mufti added that this ethos is closely connected with the concept of karāmat al-insān — the inherent dignity of every human being. Harm reduction, when guided by compassion and wisdom, reflects not permissiveness, but the Islamic imperative to protect, rehabilitate, and uphold dignity.
The roundtable concluded by highlighting the pivotal role of the media in shaping public understanding.
“The media plays a critical role in shaping public perception,” said Dr Anita. “With empathetic and evidence-based reporting, we can help society understand that harm reduction is a values-driven, life-saving public health strategy.”
The event concluded with a collective call to strengthen harm reduction in Malaysia — not as a fragmented effort, but as an integrated national strategy rooted in public health excellence, economic prudence, and inclusive values.
