"No promotions will be granted to those exceeding a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 27 from January onwards.”
As reported by The Star on 3 July, that’s the message from Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Chief Commissioner Azam Baki.
He announced that starting January 2026, MACC officers with a BMI over 27 will no longer be eligible for promotion.
The policy is meant to address obesity issues among MACC officers and improve public service performance.
Officers now have six months to reach their “ideal” weight. Whether they are based at headquarters or state branches, all MACC staff must undergo health check-ups every three months at government hospitals.
Azam also stressed that obesity among public servants shouldn't be taken lightly and needs to be addressed early.
“When MACC officers and staff maintain a healthy weight and professional appearance, it improves how they carry out their duties and serve the public,” he told Free Malaysia Today (FMT).
But this move raises questions — not just for MACC, but for the whole country.
Obesity is Common. But Are We Treating It Right?
Malaysia has one of the highest obesity rates in Southeast Asia.
According to a recent ACTION-MY study published in BMC Public Health, 57% of Malaysians with obesity don’t even realize they are obese.
Only 28% spoke to a doctor about it in the past six months.
And while most try to lose their weight, many regain it after a few months.
It shows that weight loss in Malaysia is not just about motivation, it’s about the lack of long-term support, guidance, and treatment options.
The study found that while 71% of people with obesity (PwO) believed weight loss was entirely their own responsibility, only few healthcare professionals (HCPs) agreed.
That mismatch can explain why weight conversations rarely happen, and when they do, nearly half of PwO report feeling judged or discouraged afterward.
If most people are not getting the support they need — does linking career growth to body size actually solve anything?
Azam said the new rule follows a similar policy already adopted by Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), which sets a BMI cap of 26.
“We’re implementing this at MACC as well, because MACC is an important government agency,” he told Free Malaysia Today.
But without proper health programmes in place, such policies may risk shaming more than supporting.
Maybe It's Not Just About Health Policies
Obesity is real. And the intention to promote healthier officers is good.
But so are the challenges behind it.
Weight is deeply personal, and it is often linked to stress, lifestyle, stigma, or access to care.
Maybe it is not just about health policies — but about how we frame health in public service.
Doris Tan (doristanwl@gmail.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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