Our HISTORY
Our History
Persatuan Epilepsi Malaysia (Malaysian Society of Epilepsy) was registered on March 16, 1989. The founder of the Society was the late Head of Neurology Services Malaysia, and Head of Neurology Dept. HKL, Dato Dr Mohd Rani Jusoh.
The objective of the Society was to be of service to people with epilepsy, promote scientific study and research into epilepsy, promote dissemination of awareness of epilepsy to both the public and professionals, establish a registry for people with epilepsy in Malaysia, and also to liaise with international epilepsy organisations.
In the early days, the Society was the sole voice for Epilepsy in the country. It had to undertake the dual tasks of representing the voice of people with epilepsy, and also handle the professional medical aspects by training doctors, nurses, and paramedics.
It was not until the Epilepsy Council of Malaysia - a chapter under the Malaysian Society of Neurosciences - was formed in 2002, that a clear demarcation of role and responsibilities were delineated.
The Society then became a society for people with epilepsy, and was under the IBE (International Bureau for Epilepsy), the international arm for people living with epilepsy, and the Council affiliated to ILAE (International League Against Epilepsy), the international professional body of doctors and allied staff.
Past Presidents and Committee (1989 - 2008)
1. 1989 - 1998
President : Dato Dr Mohd Rani Jusoh
2. 1998 - 2000
President : Dr Yong Fee Mann
Honorary Secretary : Dr Raihanah Abdul Khalid
Treasurer : Dr Zariah Abdul Aziz
3. 2000 - 2002
President : Dr Raihanah Abdul Khalid
Honorary Secretary : Dr Azmi Abdul Rashid
Treasurer : Margrette Selvy Anthony
4. 2002 - 2004
President : Dr Azmi Abdul Rashid
Vice President : Harun
Honorary Secretary : Cheranjit Singh
Treasurer : Margrette Selvy Anthony
5. 2006 - 2008
President : Dr Azmi Abdul Rashid
Vice President : Harun
Honorary Secretary : Farul Ariffin Wan Mansor
Treasurer : Margrette Selvy Anthony
Past Presidents and Committee (2008 - 2022)
1. 2008 - 2010
President : Fahrul Ariffin bin Wan Mansor
Vice President : Balamurugan Ramalingam
Treasurer : Margrette Selvy Anthony
2. 2011 - 2013
President : Rosalind Chee Swee Lean
Vice President : Balamurugan Ramalingam
Honorary Secretary : Farah Waheeda Tajudin
Treasurer : Magrette Selvy Anthony
3. 2013 - 2015
President : Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lim Kheng Seang
Vice President : Rosalind Chee Swee Lean
Honorary Secretary : Florence Yeoh Yin Ying
Treasurer : Margrette Selvy Anthony
Committee Members : Dr. Sherrini Ahmad
Adeelah M. Azmi
Chua Yock Leng
Siti Uzira Nur bt. Nordin
Chim Gaik Lan
Balamurugan Ramalingam
4. 2015 - 2017
President : Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lim Kheng Seang
Vice President : Dr Sherrini Ahmad
Honorary Secretary : Florence Yeoh Yin Ying
Treasurer : Magrette Selvy Anthony
Committee Members : Adeelah M. Azmi
Alvin Monteiro
Karen Yong SH
Monica Wo Chen Mun
5. 2018 - 2022
President : Dr Sherrini Ahmad
Vice President : Rosalind Chee Swee Lean
Honorary Secretary : Lai Siew Tim
Treasurer : Andrea Siew Leh Cheng
Committee Members : Muqri Mazlan
Florence Yeoh Yin Ying
Salim Baredhwan
Dr. Mohd Farooq Sheikh
Subcommittee : Dr. Khoo Ching Soong
Dr. Fong Si Lei
Honorary Advisor : Prof. Dr. Lim Kheng Seang
Past Committee (2018 - 2022)
Early History of PEM
1997: Newsletters - In the early days, there was no websites or smartphones to connect with patients and families. A newsletter was started in June 1997 to reach out to them and sent via snail mail.
1st Print - includes Society's Constitution (June 1997)
2nd Print (March 1999)
3rd Print ( June 2000)
Editor: Dr. Yong Fee Mann
Secretariat: Ms. Khong Ai Kiong, Novartis (M) Sdn. Bhd.
Subsequent Newsletters: 4th to 12th (Sept 2000 - Dec 2002)
Editor: Dr. Raihanah Abdul Khalid,
supported by Novartis (M) Sdn. Bhd.
The newsletters included, amongst others:
Useful topics on Epilepsy
Articles from the British Epilepsy Society
Updates on employment, schooling, pregnancy, driving, diet including the Ketogenic diet, complementary therapies.
How to contact relevant institutions in Malaysia including the Jabatan Kebajikan
Feedback from the Pengarah Pelesenan Pemandu and Ketua Setiausaha Jabatan Pendidikan Tinggi of the time, were also updated into the newsletters.
Introducing new members and answering common queries
2000: Logo competition was held in June 2000, and won by En. Harun Mohd. The logo shows a blue circle encircling white icons representing Unity, Purity and Happiness in a family. The red heart-shaped hands holding over the family together represent the caring organisation of the Society where this remains the main objective of the Society.
2000: Educational talks for patients and families were included during the Society's AGMs, including speakers from Jabatan Kebajikan.
2001: Pamphlets and posters on epilepsy were produced, in conjunction with HKL and HECC (Health Education branch of KKM Bangsar). These were distributed to various government and private hospitals, including Sabah and Sarawak.
2001: Family Days and Outings - these included Nature Walks, outings to Port Dickson, Sg. Chongkak, FRIM. There were visits to Royal Selangor Pewter, Petrosains and many more.
2001: Epilepsy Questionnaire - This survey was the first attempt to look at the quality of life in people with epilepsy. They were sent out to patients attending the Epilepsy Clinic in HKL, and also outside Wilayah Persekutuan. From the responses, a small study was formulated, the results of which was presented to the Ministry of Health, to advocate for better care in treatment, to overcome treatment gap, and to initiate new programmes for our patients.
The study was also cited in the journal Neurology Asia 2004; 9 (Supplement 1): 141 - "Socioeconomic and psychological impact of quality of life in Malaysian patients with epilepsy." Dr. Shanti Visvanathan and Raihanah Abdul Khalid, HKL.
2001: Evening lecture by, Prof. Simon Shorvon and Prof. David Fish - two well known epileptologists - at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel, in May 2001.
2002: The first Epilepsy Update conference for physicians, trainees and medical officers was held on the 27th and 28th October 2002 at the Grand Seasons Hotel, KL.
2002: The first website was launched in December 2002, by Deanna Yusoff and Radhi Khalid, well-known Malaysian artists. The website was designed pro-bono by En. Nazim.
2002: A membership card was initiated after suggestion by Mr. Ho Peng Kwee (JB).
2002: The 1st Volunteer of the Year Award was awarded to En. Farul Ariffin in December 2002.
Besides group gathering and activities for members, PEM also made strides to increase public awareness on epilepsy, by making various appearances on TV, Radio, and Print Newspapers.
2007: UMMC Epilepsy Support Group started in March 2007. Since then, the meeting was held every month till May 2009. The support group restarted again at UMMC in July 2011.
2009: Sehati Berdansa Musim 3 - PEM participated in Astro Ria reality show "Sehati Berdansa" Musim 3, represented by celebrities Didie and Isham.
2010: Persatuan Epilepsi Malaysia (Malaysian Society of Epilepsy) Facebook Group was created on 25 February 2010. The public site is a place for all warriors of epilepsy, people with epilepsy and their family members, as well as volunteers and friends, to share their experiences, connect with each other and get updates regarding epilepsy and PEM activities.
2013: Patients, Caregivers, Doctors, Public and Members attended the "Malaysian Society of Epilepsy Family Day" on 13 January 2013 at Taman Tasik Permaisuri Cheras, KL.
2013: Prof Dr Lim Kheng Seang talked about "Epilepsy and Employment" in the BFM 89.9 Show " Health and Living, in December 2013. You can listen to the recorded programme here.
2016: The Golden Light Awards presentation was held in Hong Kong at the 11th Asian & Oceanian Epilepsy Congress. The awards were presented by the IBE President, Athanasios Covanis and IBE Western Pacific Region Chair, Denise Chapman to all the winners, including our very own Malaysian awardee, Mdm Rosalind Chee.
2018: Dr Sherrini Bazir Ahmad participated in the BFM 89.9 Show "Health and Living" to talk about "Living with Epilepsy" in August 2018. You can listen to the recorded programme here.
2018: Salim Baredhwan was invited by NTV7 to share his experience on living and coping with epilepsy in September 2018, for the programme "Feel Good Show". Dr Sherrini was also present to talk about challenges of treating epilepsy and the medical treatments available for people with epilepsy.
2020: The Epilepsy Project Youtube Channel was initiated by the Epilepsy Research Team from University of Malaya, featuring informative videos on all things epilepsy. Read more about them here.
Thank you to our past and present serving Committee Members for contributing to this section. If you would like to share a past memory or history of PEM, email us at epilepsymalaysia@gmail.com