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HUMAN Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong has stressed that a resilient and healthy workforce is essential for Malaysia’s progress, warning that rising rates of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) could undermine the country’s economic growth.
Speaking at the launch of the Socso Run and Ride 2025 programme today, Sim said the contributions of workers across all sectors—from security and defence to public and private services—are fundamental to the nation’s success.
“What is stopping you all from continuing to contribute your services and strength to the nation, religion and homeland... what stands in the way of Malaysia becoming a great nation, especially in this turbulent world, is not external forces like America or China, but the resilience of Malaysians can overcome all,” he said.
Also present at the event were Social Security Organisation (Socso) Board chairman Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal and Chief Executive Officer Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed.
Sim raised concerns about a significant increase in NCDs among Socso contributors, noting that an average of 80 individuals were diagnosed daily with various health issues last year.
Citing Socso data, he said nearly 2.3 million adults in Malaysia are currently living with diabetes, high blood pressure, or obesity—conditions closely linked to unhealthy lifestyles.
“Based on these figures, we need to be aware of the importance of practising a healthy lifestyle because NCDs are closely related to the way we live our lives.
“Increasing awareness of this matter is important because workers are important assets that drive the economy and national development,” he said.
Sim added that the number of NCD cases among contributors rose by 26.5 per cent in just two years since 2022, posing a potential threat to long-term workforce productivity.
Of even greater concern, he said, was a Ministry of Health (MOH) report from 2021, which estimated Malaysia incurs losses of up to RM64.2 billion annually—or 4.2 per cent of GDP—due to NCDs. These losses stem from healthcare costs and lost productivity.
Socso’s Health Screening Programme (HSP), introduced in 2013, has benefited more than 900,000 individuals to date. Sim shared that from the 270,000 workers aged 40 and above screened under HSP 3.0 in 2023 and 2024, 19.4 per cent were found to have diabetes, 19.6 per cent had high blood pressure, 59.7 per cent had high cholesterol levels, and 59.3 per cent were classified as obese.
This year’s edition of Socso Run and Ride marked its eighth edition and its largest ever, drawing over 10,000 participants.
The event was held in conjunction with Labour Day 2025 and serves as the prelude to the MYFutureJobs Career Carnival @ Labour Day 2025, which will take place from 28 April to 1 May at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur. - April 20, 2025
