A new rehabilitation centre will be built in Seberang Perai to strengthen treatment and recovery services for workers injured or disabled in workplace accidents, announced Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong.
The centre, to be developed under the Social Security Organisation (Perkeso), forms part of the government’s plan to expand its nationwide network of rehabilitation facilities, following similar centres in Melaka, Ipoh and Terengganu.
“This new centre in Penang will be the fourth rehabilitation facility, after Melaka’s world-class centre built a decade ago,” Sim said, adding that the Ipoh centre is ready for operations, while construction in Terengganu continues.
He said the Melaka centre has achieved a 70% recovery rate, enabling most patients to return to work thanks to its advanced technology, including robotics, artificial intelligence and cybernetic therapy.
Sim added that Penang’s selection was strategic, given its status as Malaysia’s industrial and logistics hub, where many workers face occupational risks. The Seberang Perai project is currently in the planning stage, with details on location, cost and treatment scope to be finalised soon.
The minister revealed that each full-fledged centre is expected to cost between RM500,000 and RM600,000, equipped with state-of-the-art rehabilitation technology.
Meanwhile, he also revealed that the ministry plans to expand satellite rehabilitation centres nationwide to increase accessibility. Perkeso currently operates four such facilities in Kuala Lumpur, Shah Alam, Kuala Terengganu and Tanjung Pelepas, Johor, offering basic treatment services before referring patients to major centres for advanced care.
