Perlis Royalty Strengthen Malaysia’s National Commitment to Advanced Autism Care

1 December 2025

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s efforts to modernise autism care received a significant boost with the presence of the Raja Muda of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail, and his consort, Tuanku Dr Hajah Lailatul Shahreen Akashah Khalil, at the International Congress on Advances in Autism, Neurodevelopmental & Neurodegenerative Disorders (ICAANND 2025).

Their attendance at the Kuala Lumpur event, organised by the European Wellness Biomedical Group (EWBG), signalled a growing national commitment to strengthening early diagnosis, expanding intervention capacity and improving support for neurodiverse families.

The royal visit aligned with the scientific direction championed by Prof. Dato’ Sri Dr Mike Chan, whose two decades of global research have established him as one of Asia’s foremost advocates for precision neuro-regeneration. His work continues to shape emerging models of autism care across the region.

Rising autism prevalence in Malaysia has made Perlis a key example of proactive intervention. Through UniMAP and the A-HEART Autism Hub, the Perlis royal household has invested in early identification initiatives, teacher training and comprehensive family support programmes. Their presence in Kuala Lumpur underscored the need to replicate these efforts nationwide to meet increasing demand.

Prof. Chan’s mission in autism research began more than a decade ago in Baoding, China, where he trained paediatric teams to improve diagnostic accuracy and early detection. These early collaborations helped forge his long-term strategy for managing neurodevelopmental conditions.

His wellness centres have consistently documented two major biological patterns among autistic children: severe gut dysfunction and elevated levels of heavy-metal accumulation. As he explained at the Bangkok Summit, “Your gut has more brain cells than your brain. If you do not fix the gut, you cannot fix the child.”

Central to his model is a precision-based approach combining intestinal mucosa precursors with brain-region-specific support targeting critical areas such as the frontal lobe, hippocampus and cortex. This organ-focused method mirrors the scientific foundations laid out in his Human Cytology Atlas, which maps over 400 human cell types.

Prof. Chan’s impact reached a turning point in April 2025 when he presented at the Autism Summit in San Diego, where United States presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. pledged to “find an answer for autism by September”.

The high-profile event intensified global discussions on scientific pathways, early intervention and the future of personalised care. There, Prof. Chan emphasised that autism cannot be approached through generic or broad-spectrum treatments; each organ and brain region requires tailored precursor support, alongside early detection and correction of environmental triggers.

During ICAANND 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Prof. Chan presented an Appreciation Plaque to the Raja Muda of Perlis, recognising the royal household’s sustained dedication to autism advocacy. Their brief but meaningful visit highlighted the emerging unity between scientific leadership and state-level action. “We saw the passion of the Perlis royal household first hand,” Prof. Chan said. “They care deeply about children, families and the future of autism services in Malaysia.”

With scientific frameworks refined in Baoding, amplified in San Diego and Bangkok, and now supported by Malaysian royalty, Prof. Chan believes Malaysia is entering a crucial new phase. The country is increasingly positioned to lead regional efforts in advanced autism intervention and neurodevelopmental research. “No child should be left behind,” he said. “Every family deserves access to proper autism support, no matter where they live.”

As Malaysia continues to align scientific capability, national leadership and rising public awareness, its role in the global autism movement grows ever more significant.