KUALA LUMPUR — Seputeh MP Teresa Kok has called for the installation of more life-saving automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in public spaces such as shopping malls and condominiums, citing the high incidence of heart disease in Malaysia.
She noted that ischaemic heart disease was the country’s second leading cause of death in 2024, responsible for 15.1% of all fatalities, while cardiovascular disease overall accounted for nearly a quarter (23.3%) of total deaths.
An AED is a battery-operated device designed to analyse heart rhythms and deliver electric shocks to patients suffering from cardiac arrest, significantly increasing their chances of survival.
Speaking at the installation of a new AED at Vivo @ 9 Seputeh Retail Complex, donated by RENN Asia Wellness and the Rotary Club of Ara Damansara (RCAD) recently, Kok said the device would benefit some 10,000 residents, shoppers, and students in the area.
“This initiative by RENN Asia and RCAD is a testament to how community partnerships can save lives and enhance public safety in Kuala Lumpur,” she said.
“I commend RENN Asia and RCAD for their proactive steps in making Seputeh safer. Let’s hope there will be more such collaborative efforts to protect our loved ones — especially our parents which is also timely now as we celebrate Mothers’ Day in May and Fathers’ Day in June.
“Heart disease is often a silent killer and when a heart attack strikes, every second counts in such an emergency situation. This is when an AED can become a life-saver indeed,” she added.
“Access to AEDs should be as common as fire extinguishers. An AED isn’t just an equipment—it represents hope for the heart attack patient. Let’s normalise heart health preparedness in our daily lives,” Kok said.
According to demographic data, ischaemic heart disease was the top cause of death among Malays (16%) and Indians (20.6%). Men are particularly vulnerable, with 17.6% of male deaths last year attributed to the condition. It was also the leading cause of death in 65 districts nationwide, peaking at 31.3% in Langkawi, Kedah.
Recent public incidents have underscored the importance of emergency readiness. On April 30, a 55-year-old man collapsed at Kuching International Airport and was revived by a bystander who performed CPR for 30 minutes and used an AED. In another case, a badminton player died despite the availability of an AED on site—no one present knew how to operate it.
To support community preparedness, St John Ambulance Malaysia provided cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and AED training during the Vivo event, open to residents and members of the public.
RENN Asia Wellness founder and CEO Jonathan Chew said the collaboration with RCAD would benefit not only shoppers and residents, but also parents of students attending Campus Rangers International School at the complex.
“Every minute without defibrillation reduces survival chances by 10%,” said Chew. “Research indicates that administering defibrillation within the first three to five minutes of cardiac arrest can improve survival chances by up to 40%.”
RCAD president Mr Ling Hau Ching stressed the importance of basic AED awareness and training among the general public.
“It’s about saving lives in public places where many people often gather. Cardiac arrests are not just restricted to older persons but are also prevalent among younger people nowadays,” said Ling.
He noted that the average age of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients in Malaysia is just 58.7 years—considerably younger than in developed countries, where the average ranges between 63.4 and 68 years.
“This is why RCAD has this year launched our ‘A Life-Saver in Every Home’ or ALEH campaign. Today, we’re happy to be able to train up to 20 people, thanks to our partners in St John’s Ambulance Malaysia,” he added.
“This is about transforming awareness into action. With both the AED installed here and with trained first-aid responders around, we’re creating layers of protection for the community at Vivo.”
The symbolic handover of the AED to Mr Yong Choo Hong, building manager of Vivo Management Corporation, was witnessed by Kok. Yong received the device on behalf of chairman Mr Loh Cheng Fatt. Also in attendance were Rotary International District 3300 Assistant Governor Gordan Vong and incoming Assistant Governor Lim Yee Von.
Chew later told reporters that RENN Asia Wellness had recently bolstered its heart care services at Vivo with a second EECP (Enhanced External Counter Pulsation) machine, offering non-invasive treatment for angina and heart failure.
“From prevention to emergency response, we’re building a full-circle health ecosystem here at Vivo,” he said.
EECP is a non-invasive, FDA-approved therapy that uses inflatable cuffs on the lower limbs to improve blood flow to the heart. It has been shown to relieve angina symptoms, increase exercise capacity, and encourage the growth of new blood vessels. — May 10, 2025