Hospital Permai - History and Development

Hospital Permai Johor Bahru is one of the other institutions in Malaysia Mental Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta, Perak, Hospital Sentosa, Bukit Padang Hospital Sarawak and Sabah. Its area is dotted with picturesque landscape developed jointly by members and patients. The hospital is equipped with approximately 1,500 beds available for patients from the state
 of Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka and Johor. With the aspirations of its existence as an institution for mental health or sakitjiwa
treatment and rehabilitation, it has built a strong foundation in implementing functions of psychiatric treatment and rehabilitation. Changes and developments from time to time in the world of psychiatry, making Hospital Permai to take the initiative, involvement and action in line with national policy. Services Hospital Permai not only put these aspirations in the frame of mind alone, but working with the same overall members, translating the frame of mind in the implementation of the thinking in the form of execution.

The First mental Hospital in Johor.

The landmark at Bt 3 Skudai

In 1916, a mental health or sakitjiwa hospital was built in Batu 3, Jalan Sekudai, Johor Bahru. The hospital was named the Mental Assylum, but better known as Mental Assylum Batu 3. The site was the site of the hospital now exercise Lido Beach or now known as Danga Bay. Before the hospital was built, mental patients treated at Woodbridge Hospital, Singapore.Reasons for this hospital was built is to isolate the "lunatic" from society. At that point there is no effective treatment using chemical drugs or electric shock treatment (electro-convulsive Theraphy or ECT). The belief that pain caused by evil spirits to be holding the society at that time. To handle these patients, they are usually confined or bound together (restrained). With assylum, patients are placed there so as not to interfere with the public.

World War II.

The Monument

Singapore was a bombed on December 8, 1941 at 4.00 am by the Japanese. From the hospital is clearly heard gunshots and explosions. Australian Army and all the staff who have moved to Singapore a week before the Japanese entered the Johor Bahru.During the Japanese Occupations, Hospital Permai still provide services, not only as a treatment and rehabilitation, but also as a place of shelter residents were victims of the bombing of Japanese army. During the Japanese Occupations here has led to a tragedy when Dr. Perinbam and Dr. S.D. Luther was killed cruelly in front of the hospital staff. A bloody tragedy can be remembered even today with their burial tombs in front of the administration building of Hospital Permai.

Death Warrant by The Japanese

After the War.

In 1945, British troops back into power. They took over the hospital and made a Jungle Squad headquarters. At that time the, attendants no longer works at the hospital. Many of them worked at the General Hospital (now known as Hospital Sultanah Aminah) and the rest find other jobs. In 1951, the process of re-employment to return to work in Mental Hospital has been implemented. A total of 42 people, mostly former hospital attendants began to carry out filling and clearing the area hospital and on 1 April 1952, Mental Hospital has been in operation again. Dr. Ratnasamy, followed by Dr. David Lennox became Medical Superintendent at the time. Dr. David Lennox was the first physician employed of this hospital. He brought many changes in the aspect of psychiatric treatment.

Female Nurse Uniform

Male Nurse Uniform

Male Ward

Assylum Lunatic.

In 1929, the hospital has changed its name to Lunatic Assylum. Conditions at night in the hospital is very dark at that time. Sometimes wild animals like tigers and wild pigs roam in the home and hospital workers.

In 1936, His Majesty the Al-marhum Sultan Ibrahim has consented to transfer the Hospital Gila in Bt 3 to a more appropriate place. He had ordered the PMO at the time, Dr. G.H. Garlick to find a new place. Dr. Garlick with the help of his wife had found a hilly forest area.. After the pleasure of the Sultan, then in 1936 the construction works were initiated by Dobb States from England. A surveyor, Mr Madhu Singh has been assigned to the entrance of the project before construction started. In 1937, the hospital was completed involving the expenses of  1,618,100.00 dollars. It was officially opened on October 30, 1937.

Area of

Hospital Permai Johor Bahru.

Main Entrance 1937

In 1972, Y.B. Tun Sardon B Hj Jubir, Minister of Health officially named the hospital with the name "Hospital Permai." Through the passage of time, Hospital Permai moving across the ages planning for the future. Program to integrate and mobilize psychiatric services to districts and health centers have become a reality. Measures have been taken towards achieving the objective to make Hospital Permai as an excellent institution in the mental recovery. This does not mean Permai just focus to recovery alone but determined to be the center of education and training for those who need the knowledge and expertise in the field of psychiatry.

Main Entrance 1990's

 ​​635 acres, but the hospital is used only the 110 acres only. The hospital is located about 16 km from the town of Johor Bahru. The hospital was named Johor Mental Hospital. It is one of the most modern mental hospital at the time. In the Malay Tribune press release 1937 stated that this is the second hospital other than the best in Australia at that time.

New Mental Hospital, Johor.