MALAYSIA Information Sheet

© International Affiliate of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics 2020

Credentialing Verification Authorities: The dietitian professionals are regulated by Allied Health Professions Act 2016 (Act 774). This act is enforced by Ministry of Health (MOH) and Malaysian Dietitians’ Association (MDA). Dietitians who wished to practice in Malaysia must register under this act by submitting proof of education and dietetic internship training. After registration, practitioners will be able to use Registered Dietitian (RD) credential. For further information, practitioners may contact +603-8890 1011 or [email protected].

Official Language(s): Malay & English

Ongoing Nutrition Activities in Malaysia

1. National Dietetic Association Malaysian Dietitians’ Association (MDA) http://www.dietitians.org.my Mailing address: c/o Anderes Fourdy G3A, Incubator 1, Technology Park Malaysia, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur

2. National Nutrition Programmes/Projects

-National Plan of Action for Nutrition of Malaysia 2016-2025, by National Coordinating Committee on Food and Nutrition (NCCFN). Nutrition programs focus on four components, Nutrition Planning, Nutrition Surveillance, Nutrition Rehabilitation and Nutrition Promotion. This program covers all age groups.

-Pregnant Women, mothers and Infants – checking on anemia, breastfeeding education and introduction of complementary feeding. -Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) -Baby-Friendly Clinic Initiative -Breastfeeding Mother Support Groups -Cooking Demonstration on Diet for Mothers and Infants -Community Health Kitchen: http://nutrition.moh.gov.my/wp- content/uploads/2018/12/DSM_Seluruh_Malaysia_2018.pdf -Rehabilitation Programme for Malnourished Children -Nutrition Activities at Childcare Centers -Nutrition Programmes and Activities for Children with Special Needs -Nutrition Programmes and Activities for School Children, adolescent, adult, elderly -Nutrition Month Malaysia (NMM) -Nutrition information on Food Labels with Front-of-Pack (FOP) labelling -Malaysian Dietitians’ Day -MyNutri App: http://mynutri.moh.gov.my/mynutri/index.php?r=main/index&id=2

3. Organizations working on Health & Nutrition a. National Organizations (Government)

Ministry of Health (MOH) – central, state and district offices http://nutrition.moh.gov.my/en/ Ministry of Higher Education – University Teaching Hospital Ministry of Defence – Military Hospital and Medical Center Department of Aboriginal Affairs Department of Social Welfare – Nursing Homes Ministry of Home Affairs – Drug Réhabilitation Centres Ministry of Housing and Local Government – Environmental Health Services b. Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO's)

Red Crescent Society: https://www.redcrescent.org.my/ St. John’s Ambulance: http://sjam.org.my/ Lion’s Club: http://lions308b1.org/home/ Family Planning Association

4. Assessment of Training Quality of National Dietitians, their Professional Role and Prestige

Currently there are seven universities offering dietetic program in Malaysia.

• Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) School of Health Care Sciences Faculty of Health Sciences http://www.ukm.my/fsk Bachelor of Dietetics, Masters of Health Science & Doctor of Philosophy in Dietetics.

• Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) School of Health Sciences http://www.ppsk.usm.my Bachelor of Health Sciences in Dietetics

• International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) Department of Nutrition Sciences Faculty of Allied Health Sciences http://www.iium.edu.my Bachelor of Dietetics

• Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Department of Nutrition & Dietetic Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences http://www.medic.upm.edu.my Bachelor of Science in Dietetics

• Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) School of Nutrition & Dietetics Faculty of Health Sciences http://www.unisza.edu.my Bachelor of Dietetics

• MARA University of Technology (UiTM) Faculty of Health Sciences http://www.uitm.edu.my Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics

• International Medical University (IMU) Department of Nutrition and Dietetics http://www.imu.edu.my Bachelor of Science in Dietetics with Nutrition

5. Brief Description of National Healthcare System and Private Practice

Malaysia healthcare system is divided into public and private sector. Public sector is administered by Ministry of Health (MOH) Malaysia while private sector is by private hospital and practitioners. Patients need a referral from the local health and community clinics to seek further consultation at the government hospitals. As for private hospitals, patients do not need a referral.

The public healthcare is funded by government to provide low cost universal and comprehensive care. The private healthcare is funded through out-of-pocket payments from patients and medical insurance. Some nongovernment agencies also provide health services. Traditional medicines are used by large population of Malay and Chinese.

6. Employment Opportunities Profile

Public and private hospitals Health product companies Private care center for mothers, infants, elderly

7. Obtaining Work Permits

Expatriate must submit work permit application through their employer at Expatriate Services Division (ESD) portal. For more information, https://esd.imi.gov.my/portal/.

8. Local Food Customs and Culture

Malaysian cuisine is influenced by the major races which consist of Malay, Chinese and Indian. Spices and herbs are used in preparing most foods. Most but not all of our dishes are spicy, we can always go without the chili. Our most famous foods include , , Hainanese Chicken , Char Kueh Teow, , Fish Head , etc.

Nasi Lemak – white rice steamed with and pandan leaves, served with fried anchovies, roasted , sliced cucumber, hard-boiled egg and . Sambal is prepared by frying chili paste with , dried , water, sugar and salt. Though every family have their own recipes for this favorite dish, it is often served with the following side dishes: fried chicken, beef rendang, , fire grilled fish, etc.

Rendang – meat or chicken slow cooked and braised in coconut milk, lemongrass, , , turmeric and spices. There are many variations to this dish based on different cultures that uses different meat part, most often it is cooked as dry or wet version. Rendang is served with steamed rice or Nasi Lemak.

Hainanese Chicken Rice – white rice steamed with chicken stock, , lemongrass, sometime turmeric powder to give its light yellow color. Rice is then served with poached chicken cut up in pieces, sliced cucumber, special chili dipping sauce.

Char Kueh Teow – stir fried flat rice noodle with egg, seafood, bean sprouts, garlic, dark and light . One of its special taste contributed by the blood cockles that are added to the noodle at the last step of cooking and few quick stirs before serving.

Roti Canai – a flatbread made from flour and let proof overnight, pan fried to its crispiness, dipped in dahl sauce and sambal. Roti is often taken together with various curry included mutton and fish curry.

Fish Head Curry – huge size of fish head braised in curry with various spice you can get. Often times cooked together with lady finger, eggplant, tomatoes and potatoes. Served with steamed white rice.

Each race celebrates its new year according to their calendars. During celebration, various foods are prepared to welcome family, friends and guests to their house.

Some of the delicacies served during each celebration:

Raya – celebrated by Malay. Special dishes are (rice ), (), rendang, serunding, etc.

Chinese New Year – celebrated by Chinese. Special dishes are Yee Sang (raw fish, pickled ginger, , fruits, lime juice), glutinous rice , steamed fish, chicken, etc.

Deepavali – celebrated by Hindu. Special dishes are mithai (sweet ), , , etc.

9. CE Opportunities

Malaysian Dietitians’ Association organizes seminars and talks that offer free/paid CEU to members. Once a year, MDA organizes National Conference with focus on a topic each year. Events will be announced, posted on website and members will be notified by email.

CPE opportunities are provided through IAAND professional development activities such as IAAND conferences and webinars, through the Academy distance learning programs, the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Academy Foundation resources.

10. IAAND Volunteer Opportunities

Opportunities to assist IAAND with your time are probably endless. Learn as much as you can about IAAND and where your skills and interest would be of most benefit both to you and to IAAND. You could: ▪ Assist IAAND in spreading awareness about nutrition and dietetics globally and advocating for nutrition issues in your local communities. ▪ Support IAAND’s growth by recruiting new members and assisting fund- raising team. ▪ Be a member on the IAAND leadership team ▪ Assist in organizing conferences ▪ Submit articles to the IAAND newsletter ▪ Be a Kids Eat Right International volunteer.

For further information please contact the Country Rep for Malaysia: [email protected]

Written by: Siew-Lan Ng (2020)