🚴‍♂️ From Royal Courts to the Open Roads: Prof. Mike Chan Rides with the Ministry of Health Officials in a Celebration of Wellness and Unity

KANGAR, Perlis (9 August 2025) — Just a day after his landmark royal audience with His Royal Highness Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullail, the Raja of Perlis and Malaysia’s former King, world-renowned biomedical scientist Prof. Dato’ Sri Dr. Mike Chan traded his formal attire for a black T-shirt and a bicycle helmet, joining the people of Perlis in the spirited “Kayuhan MAIPs Peduli Bil. 55/2025” — part of the Karnival Sihat Milik Semua supported by Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia (KKM).

Prof. Mike Chan said:

“I spent the morning taking part in the cycling event, where I had the honour of joining the Crown Prince of Perlis, the Minister of Health, the Chief Secretary to the Government, and other distinguished guests in a shared celebration of health and community, building rapport and fostering connections.”

The morning began at Dewan 2020 Kangar, where Prof. Chan joined hundreds of participants for the flag-off led by HRH Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Ibni Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail, the Raja Muda of Perlis, and HRH Tuanku Dr. Hajah Lailatul Shahreen Akashah Khalil, the Raja Puan Muda of Perlis. Also present were YAM Hajah Sharifah Khatreena Nuraniah Jamalullail and YAM Hajah Sharifah Farah Adriana Jamalullail, reflecting the strong royal family support for health and community programmes.

🚴 Cycling for a Cause

At 8:00 am, the cycling convoy set off, weaving through scenic Perlis roads and making meaningful stops along the way — including visits to the homes of rural families and the Klinik Desa Bintong to see its upgrade projects. Prof. Chan, known globally for his work in longevity and regenerative medicine, pedalled alongside locals, sharing smiles and casual conversations with fellow riders.

🎙 Words of Gratitude and Inspiration

Before the ride began, Prof. Chan addressed the crowd, expressing his gratitude for the Royal family’s warm welcome and the people of Perlis’ strong sense of unity. He praised the Raja of Perlis, the Raja Perempuan of Perlis Tuanku Tengku Fauziah binti Almarhum Tengku Abdul Rashid, and the entire royal household for championing healthcare and inclusivity. He also commended the Menteri Besar of Perlis, Mohd Shukri Ramli, and the State Secretary, Dato’ Rahimi Ismail, for their leadership in strengthening community-based health initiatives.

During his speech, Prof. Mike Chan addressed the crowd, sharing a personal journey in regenerative medicine that spanned Switzerland, Germany, Russia, Ukraine, China, and Japan, where he trained and collaborated with thousands of doctors in regenerative medicine and immunology.

“Regenerative medicine is still a very new field. It’s not taught in medical school,” Prof. Chan told the crowd. “I was so surprised to see that the Ministry of Health has already been working with Tuanku on autism initiatives here in Perlis. This is my second visit in over 50 years, and I see so much progress.

Let’s speed this up. Why should my work on autism be limited to the UAE and China? I must also contribute to my own country — “Negaraku, Tanah Tumpahnya Darahku.”

Prof. Mike Chan went on to highlight the alarming global autism trends, with incidence rates rising from 1 in 600 two decades ago, to 1 in 31 today, and outlined a bold vision for Malaysia.

“If we can do something here, let’s make Malaysia the autism hub of the world. We have treated 600 autistic and Down syndrome children in Malaysia in the past two decades. Now, we can do even more.”

🎉 A Surprise in the Air

One of the day’s most unforgettable moments came when Prof. Chan found himself quite literally “on Cloud 9” — cheerfully tossed into the air like Spiderman by a group of seasoned uniformed officers from the Ministry of Health in a playful gesture of celebration. The crowd erupted in applause and laughter, capturing a light-hearted side of the scientist rarely seen in conference halls and laboratories.

👑 A Celebration of Health and Togetherness

The event was further uplifted by the presence of the Minister of Health Malaysia Dzulkefly Ahmad alongside state leaders and the Perlis royal family. The morning closed with lucky draws, performances, and a symbolic celebration of the carnival’s theme that health truly belongs to all.

From Royal Palaces to public cycling routes, Prof. Mike Chan’s weekend in Perlis has been a vibrant testament to the power of connection — whether through science, service, or simply sharing the joy of the moment.