Lose fat or no promotion applies to me, too, says Khalid

Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar says most police officers in Asean are required to pass fitness tests before they are promoted. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, January 13, 2016.

Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar says today the compulsory move for fat policemen to undergo a weight-loss programme or risk being left out of promotion applies to all, including himself, after it drew criticism from the police and social media users.

The inspector-general of police stood by his decision, saying it was only for the good of his men.

“It will ensure that all those who are promoted are fit. It is not only in here (in Malaysia) but also in Asean countries that policemen needed to pass a fitness test to be promoted.

“Some may say it does not apply to me as I am already the IGP, but actually it applies to all,” he said at a press conference after a handing over of duties for the executive director and secretariat director of Aseanpol in Kuala Lumpur today.

Last Thursday, Bukit Aman’s director of management Datuk Zulkifli Abdullah said fat policemen who failed to shed weight were at risk if not getting promoted or confirmed in their post.

He was quoted in The Star, saying that some 11,000 policemen in the force were considered overweight, adding that it the estimation was a “conservative figure”.

The move has been supported by Umno-owned newspaper, Utusan Malaysia, which had also urged  senior police officers to be exemplary.

In Mingguan Malaysia, the daily's Sunday edition columnist, Awang Selamat said the appearance of being fat and obese would only harm the reputation of the police force.

However based on a report by The Malaysian Insider, officers on the ground gave feedback that they were overworked, which contributed to their obesity. 

In response to this, Khalid said he was not an expert to know that a heavy workload could lead to obesity.

He said the weight loss programme was implemented due to many policemen being recorded as having many ailments.

He said there was also a trend showing that ill health was a common cause of death among policemen.

"That is their view for being overweight but I cannot be sure as I am not an expert to say those who have a lot of work can become fat. What we are trying to do is ensure the health of the workforce

"We find that many policemen are not healthy, and the number of those in the service dying from diabetes and high blood pressure is high.

"As the leaders of the force, we look for ways to improve the condition of our men."

- TMI