O
nce an eloquent education consultancy director who spoke on international stages, Azli Ibrahim now has to relearn how to speak and walk after a stroke stripped him of nearly all his abilities.
The sudden attack not only weakened his right arm and leg but also impaired his speech, a skill vital to his career as an education consultant.
That dark moment nearly shattered his confidence. A man once accustomed to addressing hundreds now struggles just to say his own name clearly. But Azli refused to give up.
For him, each small step he takes and every word spoken, no matter how difficult, is proof of his determination to rise again.
COMPREHENSIVE THERAPY
Azli, 55, suffered a stroke in mid-June 2024 due to hypertension and diabetes complications, leaving him unconscious and warded at Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab II here.
The condition affected the right side of his body, leaving him nearly half-paralysed and impairing his speech.
“At first, I was shocked and struggled to accept the reality. I worried about the future of my company and the well-being of my family because my work depends heavily on communication,” he said.
He was later referred to the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO)-HUSM Return to Work (RTW) clinic before undergoing intensive rehabilitation treatment at the PERKESO Rehabilitation Centre at Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM) in Kubang Kerian here.
PERKESO’s RTW Disability Management Programme provides a second chance to those living with disabilities.
(PERKESO’s Return To Work Disability Management Programme helps contributors suffering from work-related injury or invalidity to recover and return to work early and in a healthy and safe condition.)
There, Azli received comprehensive therapy with the help of advanced robotic technology, including specialised training systems for his hands and legs.
The treatment sessions conducted by rehabilitation specialists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists also helped to restore his confidence to keep fighting.
“This experience has been extraordinary. It is not just physical treatment, but a holistic recovery process that has revived my spirit,” he told Bernama at HUSM recently.
PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL CHALLENGES
Initially, said Azli, he felt stressed as he found it difficult to speak clearly, as well as walk, write and type due to his physical weakness.
“As an education consultant, my work involves having consultation sessions and participating in seminars. When my speech was unclear and often misunderstood, I felt stressed and lost my confidence. I felt isolated because I could no longer communicate as well as before,” he said.
Behind these struggles, family support became his main pillar of strength. His wife and children always accompanied him to the treatment sessions, while encouragement from the rehabilitation team and PERKESO officers kept him going.
Today, thanks to his perseverance and the RTW Disability Management Programme, Azli is back to actively managing his consultancy firm. He has also successfully organised seminars in Thailand and Indonesia, despite still facing physical limitations.
“I also feel more confident interacting with people,” he said gratefully.
Azli has a message for others who share similar struggles: “Never give up.”
“Disability is not the end of life. It may slow our steps, but it never takes away our ability to rise again. With a strong spirit, continuous effort and the right support, we can still stand, work and live meaningfully,” he said, adding, “The RTW programme is not just a programme, it is a second chance.”
RTW: A SECOND CHANCE
Azli’s story is just one of thousands that illustrate how PERKESO’s RTW Disability Management Programme provides a second chance to those living with disabilities.
Azli received comprehensive therapy with the help of advanced robotic technology, including specialised training systems for his hands and legs.
PERKESO Kelantan director Nora Yaacob said the programme was first introduced on Jan 15, 2007, to help insured persons (PERKESO contributors) who suffer injuries or illnesses – whether work-related or not – return to work safely and as early as possible.
She said between Jan 1, 2024, and May 31, 2025, PERKESO RTW case managers nationwide have handled 79,934 cases, with 56,609 individuals successfully reintegrated into employment through various methods such as job placement, vocational training and employer support.
“In Kelantan alone, 2,430 cases were managed, and of that number, 1,631 individuals successfully returned to work, either at their original workplace or at a new, suitable workplace,” she said.
She stressed that these achievements reflect PERKESO’s commitment to ensuring that disability management is carried out holistically, not only restoring the physical functions of insured persons but also rebuilding their confidence to contribute to their families, society and the nation’s economy.
NEW TECHNOLOGY, NEW HOPE
To ensure the RTW Disability Management Programme remains relevant, PERKESO has strengthened its approach through strategic collaborations and the adoption of advanced rehabilitation technologies.
Among its high-impact initiatives is the introduction of Cyberdyne robotic rehabilitation technology (HAL) for neurological treatment in cases involving spinal cord injuries, paralysis and related conditions.
“Malaysia is the first country in Southeast Asia to adopt this technology, and it has now been extended to Kelantan. Seven Cyberdyne robotic units have been placed at HUSM for contributors to use free of charge,” she said.
PERKESO has also enhanced its rehabilitation support systems through digital transformation, including the automatic classification of cases based on the international ICD-11 coding standard, making the rehabilitation process more dynamic, comprehensive and effective.
IMPROVE RTW PROGRAMME
Nora said PERKESO Kelantan is committed to strengthening collaboration with both public and private rehabilitation centres to ensure that treatments and recovery interventions provided to insured persons are aligned with professional standards and current technologies.
She said so far, 11 rehabilitation providers have been appointed to their panel, covering the areas of Kota Bharu, Bachok and Pasir Puteh.
Azli received comprehensive therapy with the help of advanced robotic technology, including specialised training systems for his hands and legs.
“For the next phase, PERKESO Kelantan is working to appoint rehabilitation providers in every district. With this move, contributors in both rural and urban areas can obtain disability management benefits for free,” she said.
She added that employer support for the RTW programme is not only a social responsibility but also a smart investment in human resource management.
“Employees who return to work after rehabilitation are usually more resilient and are already experienced, so they don’t require new basic training. This directly reduces the cost of hiring new staff and ensures business continuity,” she said.
According to Nora, PERKESO has also introduced various initiatives to support employers, including the Return to Work Coordinator Workshop, which trains employers to manage disabled workers systematically and empathetically, based on best practices. This includes job modification, performance monitoring and continuous support.
“The government, through the Inland Revenue Board, also provides double tax deduction incentives for employers who hire persons with disabilities and participants of PERKESO’s RTW Disability Management Programme,” she said.
CHALLENGES IN IMPLEMENTING RTW
Nora said the main challenge in implementing RTW in Kelantan is the still-low level of awareness, especially among employers and rural communities.
She said many believe that once a person becomes disabled, the opportunity to return to work is completely closed.
“This perception must change because, in reality, not all disabilities lead to permanent incapacity. With efficient and comprehensive rehabilitation support through PERKESO’s RTW Disability Management Programme, many individuals have the potential to return to active work and live productive lives,” she said.
She added that logistical factors also affect the effectiveness of interventions, particularly for cases located far from urban centres without easy access to rehabilitation facilities.
“However, we see these challenges as opportunities for innovation. Among the measures taken are the introduction of mobile physiotherapy services in remote areas, the establishment of mobile PERKESO counters in locations such as Gua Musang and other rural districts, as well as forging strategic cooperation with village heads and local leaders to build a comprehensive support network.
“These steps are important to ensure that no contributor is left behind in accessing rehabilitation opportunities and PERKESO benefits. These challenges do not weaken our efforts but instead drive us to expand our reach and strengthen grassroots support systems,” she said.
ROLE OF RTW CASE MANAGERS
Behind the success stories of contributors like Azli are those who serve as the main link in the recovery journey – PERKESO RTW case managers.
PERKESO’s RTW Disability Management Programme provides a second chance to those living with disabilities.
According to Kelantan PERKESO head of Disability Management Nor Azieemah Ismail, the role of case managers goes beyond handling documents – they also ensure that contributors with disabilities are able to recover and return to providing for their families and contributing to society and the nation.
“We act as the bridge between workers and doctors, employers, therapists and families. Each case is organised with a holistic rehabilitation plan – from benefit claims, medical treatment, physical rehabilitation to vocational support. The goal is simple: to ensure they return to work feeling confident and secure,” she said.
The recovery process usually begins as soon as a worker is referred to PERKESO after an injury or illness. An initial assessment is conducted to determine the level of disability before an intervention plan is developed involving physiotherapy, retraining and job modification. Workplace assessments are also carried out to ensure smooth reintegration.
“We want them to return to work (and be able to perform their duties) independently, not just show up at the workplace,” she said.
PERCEPTIONS AND EMPLOYER SUPPORT
However, the journey is not without challenges. One of the biggest is the perception of the rehabilitated employees themselves, who often lose confidence, as well as the lack of employer support for job relocation.
“This is where we play our role as motivators… we tell them that disability is not a barrier if managed properly,” she said.
For Nor Azieemah, the psychological aspect is the backbone of recovery.
“Case managers must be good listeners. We have to rebuild the confidence (of these employees) and get their families to support them as well.
“Most importantly, we don’t see them as victims of circumstance, but as individuals who still have the potential to contribute,” she said.
Nor Azieemah said one of her most memorable cases was a contributor with schizoaffective disorder who lost his job, went through a divorce and had to raise two children, including one with special needs.
“He nearly gave up, but after being guided through the RTW (programme), he eventually managed to return to work as a restaurant helper. This proves that recovery is possible,” she said.
IMPACT OF RTW ON EMPLOYEES, NATION
Nor Azieemah said the RTW programme has a major impact not only on individuals but also on the nation.
“On a larger scale, it has helped retain a productive workforce, reduce long-term welfare costs and nurture an inclusive work culture. It is a social investment with great returns for the country,” she said.
She also said rehiring employees who have recovered through the RTW programme is not a burden to employers but a strategic opportunity.
“They return not only with restored physical function but also with renewed spirit. By giving them opportunities, employers are investing in resilient human capital while also strengthening their reputation as inclusive and socially responsible organisations,” she said.
For Nor Azieemah, every RTW story is about courage against despair. It is a reminder that disability is not the end of life, but the beginning of a new chapter of hope, enthusiasm and resurrection.
THREE MONTHS TO CHANGE A LIFE
Hasnetty Zuria Mohamed Hatta, a medical rehabilitation officer at Hospital Pakar USM here, said PERKESO insured persons referred to the hospital concerned undergo three main types of treatment: robotic therapy, physiotherapy and occupational therapy.
She said robotic therapy uses Cyberdyne technology, which focuses on basic movements such as walking, bending the elbows and moving the knees.
“For physiotherapy, the focus is on muscle strength and limb movement, such as standing, walking, climbing stairs and squatting. This treatment is especially important for stroke patients with muscle weakness,” she said.
Meanwhile, occupational therapy emphasises patients’ independence in managing daily life.
“For example, stroke patients may not be able to dress, eat or go to the toilet on their own. Through occupational therapy, they will be trained to use their functioning limbs to carry out basic activities. It also helps with fine motor skills such as zipping pants, buttoning shirts or tying hair,” she said.
Hasnetty Zuria added that once patients achieve independence in basic activities, the occupational therapist will then assess instrumental activities of daily living, such as driving skills, shopping or handling transactions at the bank.
She said assessing driving skills includes simulations to test reaction time and eye-hand-foot coordination before patients are allowed to drive again.
She added that the usual treatment period lasts around three months but may be extended if patients show positive progress and are granted additional medical leave.
