Kuala Lumpur // Huffing and puffing, sweat-soaked Malaysian police officer Mohamad Ra’ayim Jemahir strains in hot pursuit of an elusive quarry – a fit physique.
Panting on an exercise bike, the 102-kilogramme Ra’ayim is among thousands of overweight Malaysian officers who have been ordered to slim down amid concern that fast-expanding waistlines could limit their crime-fighting abilities.
The Royal Malaysian Police says about 11,000 of its 122,000 officers – or nearly 10 per cent – are overweight, causing rising health-related absenteeism and costing millions of dollars in lost productivity.
Top brass warned last month that cops could miss out on future promotions if they fail to shape up, and are now piloting a special weight-loss and fitness programme.
Ra’ayim largely blames his weight woes on habitual consumption of Malaysia’s tasty but often fattening cuisine during the typically long stretches of inaction common in policing.
“Before, I took food without knowledge – I’d eat when I see food. So now, I eat when I need [to],” said Ra’ayim, 40, who hopes to shed 16 kilos.
The stereotype of the donut-gulping, coffee-quaffing cop, belly straining at his gun belt, is hardly unique to Malaysia. But the problem has reached worrying proportions in the South-east Asian country.
Zulkifli Abdullah, the police force’s director of management, said growing numbers of officers suffer from diabetes, high blood pressure and other illnesses associated with excess weight and fattening food, and that an average of 560 officers call in sick daily.
“In 2015, we had about 200 officers who died due to various illness like heart attacks and diabetes,” Mr Zulkifli said.
The issue is symptomatic of a larger national obesity problem, with recent studies indicating nearly half of Malaysians are overweight, ironically due to decades of successful economic development.
Compounding the issue is Malaysia’s love for a lip-smacking national cuisine marked by carb-heavy rice dishes, oily noodles, fried chicken, sugary drinks, and rich curries made with fattening coconut milk.
National police chief Khalid Abu Bakar said in January that new promotions will henceforth be subject to mandatory fitness tests.
Mr Zulkifli last month launched a voluntary programme at the police headquarters in Kuala Lumpur to whip overweight cops into shape.
It now has three dozen officers who go through daily workouts and must observe diets limiting them to 2,000 calories per day. Basic goals include a 10 per cent weight loss over six months.
During a recent session, officers gamely pushed themselves on stationary bikes and treadmills.
At 111kg, officer Suresh Mariah, 28, struggled with knee bends and jumping exercises.
He said his weight ballooned after he was hobbled by a knee ligament tear a few years ago, but also sheepishly admits an addiction to Malaysia’s national dish, nasi lemak – rice cooked with coconut milk and served with a fried egg, fried anchovies and roasted peanuts.
Planning to get married in March, he eventually wants to shed 20 kilos.
“I am ashamed of my weight,” he said.
Overweight police add to the PR woes of what is already one of the country’s least-respected institutions.
Police corruption is believed to be widespread, and Malaysia’s longtime governing coalition is routinely accused of using the force to harass its political opponents.
A shocking history of police detainees dying under suspicious circumstances while in custody hasn’t helped.
Mr Zulkifli blamed the weight problems on slack “discipline” among officers and said the fat-busting drive was vital to maintaining the institution’s public image and basic effectiveness.
“Police officers must be presentable,” he said.
“We need to run and make arrests. I don’t think an obese officer can be as productive as a trim and fit officer.”
* Agence France-Presse
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Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
UAE Tour 2020
Stage 1: The Pointe Palm Jumeirah - Dubai Silicon Oasis, 148km
Stage 2: Hatta - Hatta Dam, 168km
Stage 3: Al Qudra Cycle Track - Jebel Hafeet, 184km
Stage 4: Zabeel Park - Dubai City Walk, 173km
Stage 5: Al Ain - Jebel Hafeet, 162km
Stage 6: Al Ruwais - Al Mirfa, 158km
Stage 7: Al Maryah Island - Abu Dhabi Breakwater, 127km
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km
Price: Dh133,900
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The chef's advice
Troy Payne, head chef at Abu Dhabi’s newest healthy eatery Sanderson’s in Al Seef Resort & Spa, says singles need to change their mindset about how they approach the supermarket.
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Mr Payne asks for the sticker to be placed directly on each item, rather than face the temptation of filling one of the two-kilogram capacity plastic bags on offer.
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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
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Dr Amal Khalid Alias revealed a recent case of a woman with daughters, who specifically wanted a boy.
A semen analysis of the father showed abnormal sperm so the couple required IVF.
Out of 21 eggs collected, six were unused leaving 15 suitable for IVF.
A specific procedure was used, called intracytoplasmic sperm injection where a single sperm cell is inserted into the egg.
On day three of the process, 14 embryos were biopsied for gender selection.
The next day, a pre-implantation genetic report revealed four normal male embryos, three female and seven abnormal samples.
Day five of the treatment saw two male embryos transferred to the patient.
The woman recorded a positive pregnancy test two weeks later.
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THE SIXTH SENSE
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5
The specs
Engine: 3.6 V6
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Power: 295bhp
Torque: 353Nm
Price: Dh155,000
On sale: now
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions