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Greetings to all around the globe! In this issue of Western Pacific’s regional blog update, I have news from Malaysia about the development of music therapy in the country.
Malaysia is comprised of West Malaysia, a peninsula between Thailand and Singapore, and East Malaysia, on the northern part of the island of Borneo. East and West Malaysia are separated by the South China Sea. The majority of music therapists who work in the country are in West Malaysia, particularly within the Klang Valley where the capital city Kuala Lumpur is situated.
There is a total of 25 music therapists in Malaysia, with experience ranging from one and a half to twenty years, working in varied landscapes of clinical populations. Eight music therapists are currently working in Malaysia, whilst 17 are working abroad or are currently in training. Qualifications range from a Bachelor to PhD in music therapy. All of Malaysia’s music therapists have trained abroad, in the USA, UK, and Australia. The majority of them work with children with neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly autism spectrum disorder, adolescents with learning disabilities and mental health issues, children and adults with medical illnesses, adults in hospice and palliative care, adolescents and adults with mental health and mental illnesses, individuals with addictions, women and minors rescued from trafficking and abuse, stroke and Parkinson’s patients, and the elderly with dementia. Music therapists work in community centres, hospitals, rehabilitation centres, special needs early intervention centres, private and freelance practice, and in universities.
Significant developments of the field in Malaysia include the establishment of The Malaysian Music Therapy Association back in July 2016, which currently is the official resource and main body governing all matters relating to music therapy in Malaysia, and the recognition of music therapy as an intervention for children and adolescents on the Autism Spectrum, and in Dementia management for behavioural challenges by the Malaysian Ministry of Health. Congratulations to music therapists in Malaysia!!!
Music therapy is still relatively new in the country. However, owing to the continual efforts of local music therapists who conduct ongoing awareness workshops alongside their existing clinical practice, there is increasing awareness, interest and referrals for music therapy within the health, mental health, special education, and rehabilitation sectors.
All updates from the Western Pacific Region are provided by local music therapists from their respective countries. If you have any updates and news on the development of music therapy in your country within this region, and would like to share them with us, I would love to hear from you. Please do not hesitate to contact me at westernpacific@wfmt.info.
Vivian Chan, MMT, MTA, MT-BC
WFMT Regional Liaison, Western Pacific Region
