Aliran welcomes the positive development regarding Amanda Mei Chu, 29, who has finally received emergency medical care at the Sungai Buloh Hospital following widespread public support and intervention by Malaysian Aids organisations.
We note in the latest Free Malaysia Today report that Amanda was admitted to hospital today after being denied HIV treatment for eight years due to her stateless status.
Abandoned as a baby under a bus in 1997, Amanda requires lifelong antiretroviral therapy. Government hospitals previously provided this care, recognising her extreme vulnerability.
However, she was deemed ineligible for free treatment in 2017 because she is not a Malaysian citizen. Her adoptive parents cannot afford the costly medication.
Today’s positive turn of events is therefore deeply encouraging and lives up to the compassionate “Madani” values touted by the administration.
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In recent days, the government has announced additional aid of RM100m for those affected by the ongoing Gaza genocide, making it RM200m so far. This reflects a commendable and laudable global humanitarian spirit.
In the same spirit, we must also protect the most vulnerable in our own land. Children like Amanda, who are stateless through no fault of their own, deserve care and protection. So the relief provided to Amanda must not be temporary. She should be provided ongoing affordable medical care, given her serious condition.
Amanda’s case proves that when the public and media unite to shine a light on human suffering, positive change can happen.
Her ordeal, however, should not be viewed in isolation. It highlights a structural gap that needs to be narrowed to protect the most vulnerable in our land.
This episode should serve as a catalyst for systemic reform. We must ensure that other vulnerable people, including stateless people, do not fall through the cracks.
Aliran therefore strongly urges the government to:
- Provide ongoing affordable care for Amanda given her serious condition.
- Establish clear procedures to ensure that stateless people, especially those with serious health conditions, can access affordable care at public hospitals and clinics.
- Accelerate measures to protect the basic rights – including the right to education – and human dignity of all stateless people in Malaysia.
Aliran executive committee
27 August 2025
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
