A short video has been circulating in our circles: two people stood before a machine that renders the human body in shimmering cross-section. Waveforms, a rotating skull, the nervous system laid bare. It is genuinely impressive technology. It is also, I think, a good place to pause and ask a question that medicine has not…
A Whisper to Myself, It is not about you.
The institution was here before you arrived,and it will remain long after you have gone.Its purpose is greater than any title,its mission deeper than any ambition,its journey longer than any single season of leadership. You are not its owner.You are merely its custodian. Others came before you,carrying the same responsibilities,facing the same uncertainties,leaving behind their…
Act 852 and the future of nicotine control in Malaysia
Introduction The Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852) marks a decisive shift in Malaysia’s public health policy. It represents a progression from the previous regulatory framework, where smoking control was largely governed under the Food Act 1983 through the Control of Tobacco Product Regulations 2004. That earlier approach focused primarily…
The centrality of tawhid in education beyond humanising
We live in a time when moral language is abundant, yet moral conviction appears increasingly fragile. Nations speak of justice while selectively applying it. International law is invoked when convenient and ignored when inconvenient. The same act is condemned in one context and justified in another. Even more troubling is the normalisation, or quiet acceptance,…
The relevance of manuscript study in the digital era and the question of knowledge, power, and the future
The rapid expansion of digital technology has led many to assume that manuscript study belongs to the past. With vast amounts of information accessible online and artificial intelligence capable of generating and analysing text instantly, the handwritten manuscript may appear obsolete. Yet this assumption misunderstands what manuscripts truly represent. Manuscripts are not merely carriers of…
When population health is no longer a priority
The recent Perspective article in JAMA raises a deeply unsettling argument. The problem facing population health is no longer simply neglect. It is the growing possibility that policy decisions themselves are beginning to work against health. The authors describe how, over the past decade, the United States has already experienced stagnation and even decline in…
Science, Health, and the Philosophy of Knowledge in the Thought of Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas
Introduction Tan Sri Prof. Diraja Dr Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas is widely known for his contributions to Islamic philosophy, education, and the study of civilisation. While he did not write specifically on medicine or health sciences, his philosophical framework on knowledge, education, and the Islamic worldview offers important insights for understanding science and health in…
Rebuilding Confidence in Malaysia’s Medical Workforce
A recent report by Sinar Harian highlighted that only about 10 per cent of available positions for medical graduates in the Ministry of Health Malaysia were filled. The report raised concerns about the low uptake of public sector positions despite ongoing healthcare needs. This development has triggered renewed discussion about employment pathways, workforce distribution and…
A principled perspective on the roles of Public Health Medicine Specialists and PTD officers in the Ministry of Health
The discussion on whether Public Health Medicine Specialists (PPKA) can replace or assume roles currently held by PTD officers must be framed correctly. It is not fundamentally a question of replacement, but rather a question of role alignment, competency utilisation, and leadership development within a complex health system. Any modern health system functions best when…
Causality, the Philosophy, Evaluation, and the Tawhidic View
Understanding causality is essential in everyday life because it shapes how people make decisions, assign responsibility, and anticipate outcomes. From simple actions such as taking medicine to relieve pain, to complex choices like implementing public health policies, people rely on assumptions about cause and effect. When these assumptions are unclear or mistaken, decisions may be…