On 17 July 2025, the Medical Association of Southeast Asian Nations Group of Journals (MASEAN GoJ) convened its Board meeting to chart the next two years of regional scholarly collaboration and to elect a new 14‑member executive. Formed in 2017 to strengthen medical science communication across ASEAN, the GoJ unites editors and representatives of national medical journals to raise editorial standards, promote research integrity, and accelerate knowledge sharing in the region.

New leadership for 2025–2027

The Board elected the following officers:

Chairperson: Assoc Prof Maria Christina H. Ventura (Journal of the Philippine Medical Association)
Advisory panel of past chairpersons: Distinguished Prof Datuk Dr Lekhraj Rampal (Medical Journal of Malaysia) and Prof Mahesh Choolani (Singapore Medical Journal)
Vice‑chairperson: Assoc Prof Sakda Arj‑Ong Vallibhakara (Medical Association of Thailand)
Secretary General: Prof Nguyen Viet Nhung (Vietnam Medical Association)
Assistant Secretary General: Prof Yin Yin Soe (Myanmar Medical Association)
Treasurer: Prof Victor Hoe Chee Wai Bin Abdullah (Medical Journal of Malaysia)

Board members: Dr Tommy (Indonesia Medical Association), Dr Chong Vui Heng (Brunei International Medical Journal), Dr Liew Boon Seng (Medical Journal of Malaysia), Dr Thein Thein Myint (Myanmar Medical Association), Prof Maria Minerva P. Calimag (Philippine Medical Association), Asst Prof Nguyen Thi Ngoc Dung (Vietnam Medical Association), and Asst Prof Orawin Vallibhakara (Medical Association of Thailand).

Why this matters for public health

Robust regional journals are critical for translating high‑quality, locally relevant evidence into policy and practice, particularly in Southeast Asia, where health challenges routinely cross borders. By coordinating editorial standards and mentorship across countries, the GoJ helps ensure that important findings, from emerging infectious diseases to workplace health hazards, are disseminated quickly, transparently and accessibly. The election of Prof Victor Hoe to the Treasurer role further underscores Universiti Malaya’s continuing contribution to regional scientific leadership.

Acknowledgement

We congratulate the incoming Board and thank the outgoing leadership for laying strong foundations for collaborative, ethical and impactful medical publishing in ASEAN.