Exercise 1: Research_Quek Rou Yun 0138600

A. Introduction of NGO

1. What is the NGO name?

      Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC)

2. What is the Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC)?

    The Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC) is a coordinating body and does not have physical             branch. Instead, it serves as an umbrella organization that supports and coordinates the             efforts of various non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working on HIV/AIDS issues             throughout Malaysia (Malaysian AIDS Council, n.d.).

3. Who leads the Malaysian Aids Council (MAC)?

    Malaysian Aids Council (MAC) is led by an Executive Committee (EXCO) comprising ten            elected representatives from the Partner Organisations (Wikipedia, n.d.).

4. Who are the five partner organizations of the Malaysian AIDS                     Council?

    AIDS Action and Research Group (AARG), Association of Malaysian Medical Assistants,             Buddhist Missionary Society Malaysia (BMSM), Catholic Welfare Services (CWS), Bar                 Council (Wikipedia, n.d.).

5. Where is Malaysian Aids Council (MAC) headquartered?

     The Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC) is located at No 12, Jalan 13/48A, The Boulevard Shop      Office, Off Jalan Sentul, 51000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Malaysian AIDS Council, n.d.).

6. When was Malaysian Aids Council (MAC) established, and under              whose initiative?

    The Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC) was established in 1992 under the Ministry of Health        (MOH) (Wikipedia, n.d.).

7. Why was Malaysian Aids Council (MAC) created?

    To address the growing HIV/AIDS crisis in Malaysia during the late 1980s to early 1990s,        the government recognized the need for a platform to deal with this situation. As a result,        the Ministry of Health (MOH) established the Malaysian Aids Council (MAC) (Ending Aids        In Malaysia, 2015).


B. Malaysian Aids Council (MAC)'s evolution journey

8. How has Malaysian Aids Council (MAC) evolved since its founding?

    Expand its reach to serve more communities across Malaysia. Strengthen collaboration             with government, private sector, and international organizations. Place greater emphasis on      stigma reduction, community empowerment, and policy influence. Enhance its role in                 advocacy, public education, and support for people living with HIV (Malaysian AIDS                 Council, n.d.).

9. What are the key milestones of Malaysian Aids Council (MAC)?

   The Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC) was established in 1992 as an umbrella organization to         coordinate HIV/AIDS-related NGOs across Malaysia. In 1993, it launched its first                        nationwide HIV prevention campaigns, focusing on raising awareness and targeting high-       risk groups. Throughout the 1990s, MAC formed strong partnerships with the Ministry of        Health and international organizations such as UNAIDS. In the 2000s, it introduced harm        reduction programmes, including needle exchange and methadone treatment, in                        collaboration with the government. By 2008, MAC had intensified its efforts to reduce                stigma and advocate for the rights of people living with HIV (PLHIV). During the 2010s, it        strengthened its community response by expanding outreach and services for key                        populations such as sex workers, people who inject drugs, and LGBTQ+ individuals. In the        2020s, MAC aligned its efforts with global goals, working toward the vision of ending AIDS        as a public health threat in Malaysia by 2030. (Malaysian AIDS Council, 2022).

10. Why is Malaysian Aids Council (MAC)’s journey considered                           significant in Malaysia’s HIV response?

    Reduced stigma and discrimination, unified and coordinated the efforts of NGOs,                         communities, and government bodies nationwide, provided sustainable support and                 resources to key populations most affected by HIV, adjust strategies in line with the shifting      landscape of the epidemic. (Malaysian AIDS Council, 2022).

11. What is Malaysian Aids Council (MAC) currently focus on?

    Malaysian Aids Council (MAC)'s current priorities include ending AIDS as a public health         threat by 2030, strengthening community-based responses to HIV, reducing stigma and             discrimination against people living with HIV (PLHIV), expanding access to prevention,             care, and treatment services, and advocating for policy changes that support affected                 communities. (Malaysian AIDS Council, 2022).


C. Core Cause and Sustainable Development Goals             (SDG)

12. Which Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are aligned with MAC’s                       mission?

       Good Health and Well-being, Malaysian Aids Council (MAC)'s core mission is to end                   AIDS, which directly contributes to this goal. They work to reduce new HIV infections,               AIDS-related deaths, and stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV.                   Reduced Inequalities, Malaysian Aids Council (MAC) advocates for health equity and fair           access to healthcare, particularly for marginalized communities affected by HIV, such as           sex workers, injecting drug users, men who have sex with men. Gender Equality, women           are disproportionately affected by HIV. Peace, Justice And Strong Institutions, Malaysian           Aids Council (MAC)'s  efforts related to SDG 16 involve advocating for the protection of               rights, access to justice, and combating discrimination against those impacted by                       HIV/AIDS to contribute to a more just and inclusive society. (Malaysian AIDS Council,               2022).

13. What is the core cause of Malaysian Aids Council (MAC)?

        The main two core cause of the Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC) is integrity and respect for         diversity. Integrity provides a basis for ethical decision making when members and staff            face situations where a conflict between professional and private interest arises or where            special concessions are requested. Moreover, they take pride in the diversity of the                        organisation’s members and beneficiaries which encompasses people of different                        backgrounds, cultures and experience. (Malaysian AIDS Council, 2022).

   

D. Mission and Vision

14. What is the mission of Malaysian Aids Council (MAC)? 

      The mission of the Malaysian AIDS Council is to support and unite non-governmental               organizations and communities so that the government and society pay more attention to           HIV/AIDS issues and take effective action at both national and local levels. (Malaysian               AIDS Council, 2022).

15. What is Malaysian Aids Council (MAC)’s long-term vision for                       Malaysia and the HIV/AIDS community?

       A society free from the negative impact of HIV and AIDS where the AIDS epidemic is                   under control through comprehensive prevention, treatment, care, support and impact               alleviation services particularly for the most vulnerable and marginalised populations.               (Malaysian AIDS Council, 2022).


E. SWOT Analysis

16. What are the main strengths that help Malaysian Aids Council (MAC)        achieve its goals? 

    Strong network of Partner Organizations, Malaysian Aids Council (MAC) collaborates with       42 partner organizations, enhancing its nationwide outreach and support services such as          Coalition PLUS. Experience and Credibility, established in 1992, MAC has decades of                  experience, giving it credibility in HIV/AIDS prevention, advocacy, and care. Community-         Based approach, Malaysian Aids Council (MAC) emphasizes working with key affected              populations (KAPs), including people living with HIV, sex workers, drug users, and the              LGBTQ+ community. (Malaysian AIDS Council, 2022).

17. What internal and external weaknesses challenge Malaysian Aids                 Council (MAC)’s effectiveness?

       The Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC) faces several internal and external weaknesses that            challenge its overall effectiveness. Internally, limited human resources pose a significant            issue, as many of Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC)’s programmes rely heavily on volunteers         and partner NGOs. Lack of staff might affect service continuity and quality. Additionally,            there are coordination challenges with partner NGOs— Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC)            works with over 30 partner organizations, and aligning goals, reporting standards, and                maintaining consistent programme quality can be difficult. Capacity gaps in rural                        outreach also persist, as some remote areas lack adequate infrastructure and trained                    personnel, which limits Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC)’s ability to deliver services                    uniformly across Malaysia. Externally, lack of public awareness and education – they will         misunderstandings about HIV and key populations reduce community support. Besides            that, digital divide – some populations such as elderly people have limited access to digital         health services. (Malaysian AIDS Council, 2022).

18.  What opportunities can Malaysian Aids Council (MAC) leverage to            expand its impact?

       Digital Outreach and Health Technology, telehealth and mobile apps for HIV testing,                    counselling, and medication reminders. Additionally, partnerships and Cross-Sector                    Collaboration, collaborate with private sector such as pharmaceutical companies. Lastly,            Capacity Building and Volunteer Networks, train more local NGOs and volunteers to scale         outreach. (Malaysian AIDS Council, 2022).

19. What threats may affect Malaysian Aids Council (MAC)’s work?

        Persistent Social Stigma, ongoing public discrimination against people living with HIV,            the LGBTQ+ community, and sex workers discourages testing, disclosure, and treatment.         Legal barriers for key populations- laws criminalizing drug use, sex work, and same-sex            relationships discourage vulnerable groups from seeking help. Funding cuts or donor                withdrawal, if donors like the Global Fund reduce or stop funding, programs may be                    disrupted. (Malaysian AIDS Council, 2022).


F. Latest Creative Campaign 

1.    20. What is their latest campaigns in the last two years?

        International Testing Week 2023, organized by Coalition PLUS and its member                            organizations—including the Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC)—was held from November            20 to 26 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with MAC serving as the host. The event aimed to            promote testing for HIV and other sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections                    (STBBIs), while also addressing issues related to access and barriers to testing. (We Get            Tested, n.d.).




Summary

The Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC) plays a key role in the national HIV/AIDS response by providing advocacy, prevention, treatment, and care services for key affected populations such as people who use drugs, sex workers, and the LGBTQ+ community. With continued support from government and international partners, Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC) works through a network of NGOs and has made significant progress. To reach the goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC) must continue strengthening partnerships, building capacity, and promoting a more inclusive society.


References List

Malaysian AIDS Council. (n.d.). About Us. Malaysian AIDS Council.

            https://mac.org.my/v4/who-we-are/

Malaysian AIDS Council. (n.d.). Men Who Have Sex With Men (MSM). Malaysian AIDS

Council. https://mac.org.my/v4/msm/

Malaysian AIDS Council. (n.d.). People Who Inject Drugs (PWID). Malaysian AIDS

Council. https://mac.org.my/v4/pwid/

Malaysian AIDS Council. (n.d.). Sex Worker. Malaysian AIDS

Council. https://mac.org.my/v4/sex-worker/

Malaysian AIDS Council. (n.d.). Transgender. Malaysian AIDS Council.

           https://mac.org.my/v4/tg/

Malaysian AIDS Council. (n.d.). Who we are. Malaysian AIDS Council.

https://mac.org.my/v4/who-we-are/

Malaysian AIDS Council. (2022). 30 Years Of Vision Annual Report 2022. Malaysian Aids

Council, 6-36. https://mac.org.my/v4/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/MAC-

Annual-Report-2022_27082024.pdf

Ministry of Health Malaysia Putrajaya. (2015). Ending AIDS in Malaysia Myth or Reality.

Ministry of Health Malaysia Putrajaya,1-2.

https://www.moh.gov.my/moh/images/gallery/Report/Ending%20AIDS%20in%2

02020%20(Final_271115)_printed%20version.pdf

United Nations. (n.d.). Sustainable Development Goals. United Nations.

https://sdgs.un.org/goals

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Malaysian AIDS Council. Wikipedia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malaysian_AIDS_Council#:~:text=MAC%20comple

            ments%20and%20supports%20the,to%20individuals%20with%20HIV/AIDS3  

We Get Tested. (n.d.). International Testing Week 2023.

           https://mac.org.my/v4/international-testing-week/ 

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