Following a meeting convened by Dr. M. P. Deva at the Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Malaya, there were only about 25 psychiatrists serving the entire nation. Resources were scarce, hospitals were overwhelmed, and many faced the difficult choice of staying or leaving. Yet some chose to remain, to build, to serve, and to believe that change was possible.

Today, nearly fifty years later, Malaysia has grown to more than 500 psychiatrists across an expanding range of subspecialties. This progress was not achieved by chance. It was shaped by courage, advocacy, collaboration, and generations of professionals who refused to give up on their patients, their profession, and their country.

As we mark the 50th Anniversary of the Malaysian Psychiatric Association, this conference becomes more than a scientific meeting. It is a moment of reflection and renewal. It reminds us that hope in psychiatry is not an abstract idea; it is something we create through ethical practice, compassion, and the determination to see the person beyond the diagnosis.

To break barriers is to challenge stigma, silence, and fear. To build hope is to create spaces where suffering can be spoken, understood, and transformed. Each of us carries this responsibility, not only as clinicians, but as teachers, leaders, and advocates for mental health.

As we come together in this spirit, may we draw strength from our shared history and inspiration from our shared purpose. In breaking barriers together, we do more than advance psychiatry. We strengthen our ability to heal, to lead, and to continue — one patient, one voice, and one moment of hope at a time.

30th MCPM 2026 Scientific Committee

Happy New Year and warm greetings from the MPA and the organising committee of the 30th Malaysian Conference of Psychological Medicine (MCPM) 2026. 2026 has arrived, and I am sending you my greetings and a reminder! We are pleased to invite you to join us on 23–25 October 2026 at the InterContinental Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, for a landmark gathering.

The scientific committee of MCPM 2026 decided that the conference will carry the theme “Breaking Barriers: Building Hope.” This MCPM will bring together clinicians, researchers, and advocates at all levels committed to advancing mental health care, policy, and innovation. Your participation is vital to shaping the next chapter of psychological medicine in our country and the surrounding region. At the same time, you enjoy the vibrant eateries, cultural attractions, and city life around the city center. I am confident this will be an excellent gathering that enriches both your professional and social lives. See you there!

Warm regards,

Dr Mohd Fadzli Bin Mohamad Isa
President
Malaysian Psychiatric Association

This upcoming meeting marks a truly special milestone for all of us. It is the 30th Malaysian Conference of Psychological Medicine (MCPM) and our Pearl Jubilee celebration. For this landmark year, the Scientific Committee has thoughtfully selected the theme “Breaking Barriers, Building Hope.”

The conference theme reflects both the journey of psychiatry in Malaysia and the work that still lies ahead.

Over the decades, our profession has had to confront and dismantle many barriers: stigma surrounding mental illness, limited access to care, cultural misconceptions, service gaps, and the divide between physical and mental health. As psychiatrists and mental health professionals, we have worked tirelessly to break these barriers through advocacy, education, research, policy engagement, and compassionate clinical practice.

At the same time, building hope has always been at the heart of our work. Hope for recovery, dignity, inclusion, and meaningful lives for the people we serve. Hope for families, caregivers, and communities navigating mental health challenges. Hope for a healthcare system that continues to evolve, becoming more inclusive, evidence-based, trauma-informed, and person-centred.

This theme also speaks to the present and future of psychiatry. As we face emerging challenges such as rising mental health needs, workforce pressures, digital transformation, ethical complexities, and generational change, we are called to break new barriers: between disciplines, sectors, generations, and ways of thinking. In doing so, we build hope not only for our patients, but also for ourselves as professionals and for the sustainability of mental healthcare in Malaysia.

In the spirit of our 30th MCPM and Pearl Jubilee, “Breaking Barriers, Building Hope” honours our past, grounds us in the present, and inspires us to move forward together, with courage, collaboration, and renewed purpose.

As we celebrate this Pearl Jubilee, we warmly invite you to continue supporting and participating. Your presence, contributions, and engagement truly mean a great deal to all of us, and together, we look forward to building hope for future generations.

Warm regards,

Dr Ng Chong Guan
President-Elect,
Malaysian Psychiatric Association