75% of New HIV Infections in Malaysia Affect Individuals Aged 20 to 39

Young adults are the largest group affected by new HIV cases in Malaysia, according to Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. In 2024, 75% of new HIV infections involved people aged 20 to 39, reflecting a major shift in how the virus is being transmitted.

Dr Dzulkefly explained that the pattern of HIV transmission has changed considerably over the years. While HIV was once primarily spread through sharing drug needles, sexual contact now accounts for the vast majority of cases. “In 2024, sexual transmission made up 96% of all new HIV cases,” Dr Dzulkefly said in a written reply to Parliament. Of these, 64% involved homosexual or bisexual contact, while 32% were due to heterosexual contact.

A total of 3,185 new HIV cases were reported last year, with a notification rate of 9.4 per 100,000 people. Men made up 90% of the cases, while women accounted for 10%. This marks a change from the 1990s when men made up nearly all cases (99%) and women just 1%.

The overall number of new HIV and AIDS cases in Malaysia fell by 50% from 2000 to 2009. However, progress has slowed since then, with only a 27% drop between 2010 and 2024.

Growing Use of PrEP and ARV Treatment

Dr Dzulkefly said more than 9,000 people in Malaysia have begun using HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) as of June 2025. PrEP is a medication that helps prevent HIV infection and is now available at 35 government health clinics nationwide. Since its introduction in January 2023, a total of 9,309 individuals have started PrEP.

Meanwhile, over 50,000 Malaysians living with HIV are receiving antiretroviral (ARV) treatment. In 2024, there were 50,694 people on ARVs—a 3.8% increase from the previous year. Consistent use of ARV allows people living with HIV to lead normal, healthy lives.

Holistic Efforts to Tackle HIV Among Youth

Addressing rising HIV cases among men who have sex with men (MSM) will require collaboration across multiple sectors, Dr Dzulkefly stressed. Government agencies, the private sector, corporations, and parents all play crucial roles in guiding young people and preventing risky behaviours.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) is working with other ministries and agencies—including Education, Higher Education, Youth and Sports, Women and Family Development, Islamic Development (JAKIM), Home Affairs (KDN), Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC), and Malaysian AIDS Foundation (MAF)—to strengthen prevention and awareness programmes.

One such initiative is the PROSTAR 2.0 programme, which aims to boost awareness of HIV and sexually transmitted infections among adolescents by focusing on biopsychosocial and spiritual resilience. By June 2025, PROSTAR 2.0 had reached over 55,000 students in schools and universities through 592 activities, leading to a reported 26% increase in participants’ knowledge.

Expanding Access to Testing

Access to HIV testing has also improved. In December 2023, MOH launched an HIV self-test and the TestNow website, which offers information about HIV, risk assessments, and self-test kits. Between its launch and June 2025, the site received over 188,000 visits—an average of 324 daily—with 13.4% of users identified as high-risk.

MOH has also introduced the Differentiated HIV Services for Key Populations (DHSKP) Model KK 2.0 at 33 health clinics in partnership with NGOs to enhance services for high-risk groups.

Dr Dzulkefly said that expanding access to PrEP and ARV treatment, increasing public awareness campaigns, and broadening testing options are all part of the government’s harm-reduction strategy to curb HIV transmission in Malaysia., reflecting a major shift in how the virus is being transmitted.

These coordinated efforts reflect Malaysia’s commitment to addressing the evolving challenges of HIV, particularly among young adults and high-risk groups. By expanding access to prevention, treatment, and testing, while strengthening education and awareness, the government aims to slow the spread of HIV and improve health outcomes for those affected.

Continued collaboration across sectors and communities remains crucial to ensuring that progress is sustained and that vulnerable populations receive the support they need.

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