Kuantan: The Kuantan City Council (MBK) will take immediate action to reduce the current rate of 30 percent of its employees facing overweight or obesity problems. Kuantan Mayor Datuk Razihan Adzharuddin expressed concern over the health status of the council’s workforce, highlighting the urgent need for intervention.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, MBK comprises over 1,300 employees, with nearly a third of them categorized as obese. Datuk Razihan Adzharuddin revealed that the issue was brought to light following an assessment by a newly appointed panel clinic, which provided a comprehensive health profile of the staff. The findings indicated that 30 percent of the employees have excessive BMI (Body Mass Index) readings, prompting immediate attention to address the situation.

In response to the alarming statistics, Datuk Razihan proposed a novel approach to encourage physical activity among the staff. As a temporary motivational measure, MBK plans to halt the operation of elevators for one day, compelling employees to use the stairs instead. This initiative aims to promote a healthier lifestyle and raise awareness of the importance of physical fitness.

The announcement was made during a ceremony for the Kuantan Ramadhan Bazaar Best Organiser and Trader Awards, where five out of 21 organizers received the Best Organiser accolade, and 25 Best Trader Awards were distributed among 1,159 traders across 31 venues throughout the district.