Sultan Selangor Graces SJMC’s 40th Anniversary with Heart Lab Launch

New state-of-the-art cath lab emphasises innovation and legacy 

Subang Jaya Medical Centre (SJMC) marked a significant milestone today with the official opening of the Dato’ Setia Dr Anuar Masduki Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory (Cath Lab), named in honour of one of Malaysia’s most respected cardiologists and a pioneering member of SJMC’s founding medical team. The dedication coincides with SJMC’s 40th anniversary celebration, paying tribute to Dr Anuar’s enduring legacy and contributions to the hospital’s early growth and excellence in cardiac care.

The event was graced by His Royal Highness, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj Ibni Almarhum Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Alhaj, Sultan of Selangor, state dignitaries, healthcare leaders, and family members of the late Dato’ Setia Dr Anuar Masduki.

The new Cath Lab pays tribute to Dato’ Setia Dr Anuar Masduki, who played a pivotal role laying the foundation for cardiology care in Malaysia. Among his many contributions, he co-performed the country’s first Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) in 1983, followed by Malaysia’s first coronary angioplasty in 1984. He also served as a personal cardiologist to His Royal Highness and played a key role in shaping SJMC’s reputation in cardiovascular care. His legacy continues through the many doctors he mentored and patients whose lives he helped transform.

“The Cath Lab represents more than just a space for treatment, it embodies our commitment to person-centred care and serves as a meaningful continuation of Dr Anuar’s life’s work,” Bryan Lin, Chief Executive Officer of SJMC and Regional Chief Executive Officer of Asia OneHealthcare said.

“Our long-serving doctors, alongside the next generation of specialists, continue to build on the strong foundations laid by him and those before them, united in their dedication to advancing patient care. It bridges the past and future of cardiac care. We are deeply honoured to have His Royal Highness who graciously consented to officiate this occasion, continuing a longstanding relationship between SJMC and the Selangor Royal Family.”

Equipped with the cutting-edge Philips Azurion 7 C20I FlexArm system, the newly launched RM14 million Cath Lab, opened in May, sets a new benchmark in cardiac care. Complementing the hospital’s existing Cath Lab, this investment reinforces SJMC’s commitment to delivering world-class care, offering a wider range of minimally invasive procedures, including advanced angioplasty and electrophysiology. With two state-of-the-art angioplasty systems housed under one roof, this significantly enhances the hospital’s capacity to diagnose and treat complex heart conditions. Strategically located on the same floor as the Cardiac Ward and Coronary Care Unit (CCU), the new facility improves patient access, safety, recovery time, and clinical outcomes – doubling the number of patients who can now benefit from life-saving catheterization services.

“This Cath Lab strengthens SJMC’s position as a regional hub for cardiac care,” said Dr Chan Boon Kheng, Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer of Asia OneHealthcare. “It reflects our Group’s commitment to supporting facilities that deliver safer, timely, and more precise interventions. This initiative is not just about expanding capacity, it reinforces SJMC’s role as a regional hub by enabling the delivery of complex and specialised care, and by sharing expertise across our network of hospitals to improve access, quality, and efficiency. In doing so, we continue to reach more people with quality care.”

Also in attendance were Yang Amat Mulia Tengku Panglima Raja Selangor, Tengku Ahmad Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Alhaj; Tan Sri Quek Leng Chan, Executive Chairman of the Hong Leong Group and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Asia One Healthcare Group.

Since opening its doors in 1985, SJMC has grown from a humble hospital into one of Malaysia’s most trusted tertiary hospitals, serving both local and international patients. With the theme “Transforming Care 40 Years and Beyond”, this milestone highlights the hospital’s journey across three pillars – medical excellence, generational trust, and community impact – affirming its vision to deliver trusted care, today and for the years to come.

A testament to this generational trust is the Alumni Circle by SJMC, launched earlier this year as a networking platform for individuals born at the hospital between 1985 and 2005 – celebrating lifelong bonds of care that span decades.

The hospital ranked among the Top 3 hospitals in Malaysia in Newsweek’s World’s Best Hospitals 2025 and led the nation in Newsweek’s Best Specialized Hospitals Asia Pacific 2025 with the highest number of recognised specialties. It is also one of four hospitals selected under the Flagship Medical Tourism Hospital Programme by the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) and the Ministry of Health (MOH), representing Malaysia’s healthcare, internationally.

Beyond hospital walls, SJMC continues to make a meaningful impact through various community outreach initiatives, including the reinstated Global Surgery Initiative (GSI), which delivers life-saving surgical care to underserved areas in Sabah and Sarawak.