April 2025

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Assalamualaikum and warm greetings to all members of the Malaysian Society of Clinical Psychology (MSCP), friends, and partners in the mental health community.

It is truly an honour to serve as the President of MSCP for the 2025–2026 term.

 

I take on this role with humility, gratitude, and a deep commitment to continue building upon the efforts of those who came before me—individuals who have worked tirelessly to shape and uphold the standards of our profession in Malaysia.

 

I would also like to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Joel Low, my immediate predecessor. Throughout his term, Dr. Joel demonstrated the kind of leadership that truly reflects the spirit of our profession—kind-hearted, empathetic, a great listener, and someone who always created space for those around him to grow. Under his leadership, MSCP was guided by a clear mission to strengthen professional development, providing opportunities for our members to continuously learn, reflect, and advance in their practice. His thoughtful and inclusive approach has laid down strong foundations for us to build upon, and it is with great respect that I intend to continue this path, ensuring that professional growth remains at the heart of what we do.

 

As we step into this new chapter, we do so at a meaningful point in our journey as a professional body. With the recognition of clinical psychology under the Allied Health Professions Act 2016 (Act 774), much of the advocacy that MSCP has long championed has now taken root. This provides us with an opportunity—not to pause—but to reimagine how we can further grow, contribute, and strengthen our profession for the benefit of our members, our clients, and the nation.

 

Our Direction Forward

In this term, our focus is guided by the spirit of collaboration, excellence, and shared leadership. Together with the new Executive Committee, we have laid out several strategic priorities that reflect the aspirations of our members and the needs of our profession:

• Upholding professional standards and ethical practices through clearer guidelines, strengthened supervision, and continuing professional development (CPD).

• Fostering early career support, mentoring, and training to nurture the next generation of clinical psychologists.

• Strengthening advocacy and policy engagement with key stakeholders, including government agencies, regulatory bodies, and academic institutions, to ensure the voice of clinical psychologists continues to be heard where it matters most.

• Enhancing public awareness and digital engagement, so that the role of clinical psychologists is better understood, respected, and trusted by the community we serve.

• Promoting collaboration and visibility through meaningful partnerships, both nationally and internationally, as well as establishing the Senior Advisory Council and exploring honorary recognitions for those who have contributed significantly to the field.

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Building Together, Growing Together

I believe that MSCP does not belong only to its leadership—it belongs to all of us. Our strength lies in the collective wisdom, passion, and contributions of our members. Whether you are an early career psychologist finding your place in the field, a seasoned clinician mentoring the next generation, or a partner organization working alongside us, your role is invaluable in shaping the future of clinical psychology in Malaysia.

As we begin this term, I invite all of you to take part actively—share your ideas, lend your expertise, and collaborate with us. Together, we can continue to grow as a society that not only upholds high professional standards but also fosters a compassionate, inclusive, and resilient community of practitioners.

Thank you for the trust you have placed in the Executive Committee. We look forward to working alongside each of you in service of our profession and the people we care for.

 

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Warm regards,
Dr. Jamilah Hanum Binti Abdul Khaiyom
President | Term 2025–2026
Malaysian Society of Clinical Psychology (MSCP)