Speaker urges MPs to exercise to promote healthy living

KUALA LUMPUR:Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul has urged MPs to carry out light exercises as part of efforts to promote healthy lifestyles.

“The Parliament clinic has conducted health checks on all MPs in 2023. Through this health checks, we have found that there are several issues that were identified including high blood pressure, high blood glucose levels and high cholesterol, which increases the risk of non-communicable diseases,” he said.

Johari said programmes such as sugar-free Wednesdays in Parliament have also been implemented to promote healthy living.

“All MPs are also encouraged to carry out light exercises or X-Break during Parliament meetings from today,” he said.

Khoo Poay Tiong(PH-Kota Melaka) also called for action against lawmakers who smoke in the Parliament building.

Khoo said while there are three dedicated smoking zones for MPs, some are still puffing away especially in the backbenchers club room.

Johari said the Health Ministry has mobilised their enforcement officers to issue compound notices to those who smoke at non-smoking zones.

“If you get a compound, don’t look for me. I will ask for the compound to be doubled. We have to be serious on health and don’t smoke at non-smoking zones,” he said.

In July, Johari reminded lawmakers to go for health screenings as soon as possible, as failure to do so by Nov 11 will result in their names being published on the Parliament website.

Johari said MPs can access information regarding the mandatory health checkup from the letter that has been sent to each of them.