The International Holistic Healing Arts Association (IHHAA) launched officially on 26 July 2026 at Gurney Plaza, Penang, bringing together practitioners of traditional and modern healing methods under one professional body for the first time.
The event, themed “Heal, Balance, Empower: A Journey Back to You,” ran from 10am to 10pm and was free to the public. The official launch ceremony took place at noon, officiated by YB Daniel Gooi, Penang State EXCO for Youth, Sports and Health, and YB Syerleena Abdul Rashid, Member of Parliament for Bukit Bendera.
IHHAA was established to unite different healing practices, from Traditional Chinese Medicine to expressive art and sound therapy, under a shared professional home. Penang Hospice Society served as the event’s main supporting partner.
Rather than a typical wellness fair, the launch featured five “Five Sense Stations” designed around touch, hearing, sight, smell and taste. Mr Yong Sek Chew led TCM pulse reading and neuro-reset techniques for pain relief. Mindi Yip conducted tuning fork therapy and harmony chime crafting. Ooi Viv guided Pastel Nagomi art workshops. Angel Chong led aromatherapy sessions, while baker Ling Tze hosted vegan healing cake demonstrations and mindful tea tasting.
The programme also included talks on expressive art therapy, sound healing, mindfulness aroma and gratitude journaling, alongside fitness sessions such as Zumba and Pilates, and traditional arts workshops including Chinese paper cutting. Lucky draws offered prizes worth over $10,000, sponsored by hotels including Parkroyal Penang Resort, Amari SPICE Penang, Hard Rock Hotel Penang and Penang Marriott Hotel, among others.
In her welcome address, IHHAA President Ooi Vivian explained the association grew out of years spent meeting people from different walks of life. “Behind many smiles, I discovered something we all have in common. Stress. Anxiety. Emotional pressure. Loneliness,” she said, adding that the group aims to show that “healing is not limited to traditional approaches.”
Tan Sri Emeritus Professor Gajaraj Dhanarajan, Honorary Secretary of Penang Hospice Society, shared the story of an elderly patient, Mdm Ang, who was cared for at home through palliative support. “It provides care for the person, not just the illness,” he said, describing the philosophy that underpins both hospice work and the goals of IHHAA.
YB Syerleena Abdul Rashid, reflecting on Malaysia’s culture of quietly pushing through hardship, noted how often people respond to difficulty with the phrase “I’m fine” even when struggling. She said IHHAA “opens another door,” allowing people to explore healing through creativity, music, movement and sensory experience, without replacing professional medical or psychological care where needed.
YB Daniel Gooi spoke on the pressures facing young Malaysians today. “Many youths today face tremendous pressure from academics, social media, career uncertainty and family expectations,” he said, encouraging attendees that “speaking up is a sign of courage” and that “asking for help is not a weakness.”
The event marks Penang’s growing profile as a centre for wellness tourism, with organisers positioning the island’s cultural diversity and heritage as a natural fit for the association’s mission. IHHAA said it plans to grow as an international platform connecting therapists, artists, educators and healthcare professionals who share an interest in holistic wellbeing.
