MALAYSIANS must treat fitness and physical activity as part of daily life rather than a fleeting phase, former Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has urged, warning that seasonal enthusiasm is failing to tackle the country’s rising health crisis.
Speaking at the launch of the Eco Lifestyle Med Health showroom recently, Khairy said many Malaysians invest in expensive home equipment such as treadmills and stationary bikes, only for them to become “dusty furniture in the living room.”
“The real challenge is not awareness, but consistency. That’s what we need to change,” he said. “If we’re only active at the start of the year or after buying new equipment, we won’t get anywhere.”
He added that true behavioural change starts at the individual level but must be supported by community involvement to create sustained motivation.
“Group activities can help maintain momentum because of the social element and healthy competition,” said Khairy, stressing that communal fitness plays a vital role in encouraging long-term participation.
The event was also attended by Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Adam Adli Abdul Halim and Eco Lifestyle Fitness Group founder Tan Lai Hong.
Malaysia, he noted, is not lacking in infrastructure. “We already have a wide range of sports facilities thanks to both government and private sector initiatives,” he said. “What’s needed now is consistency — integrating simple routines like jogging or cycling into our daily lives.”
“Make fitness a part of your lifestyle, just like eating or going to work every day,” he said.
Khairy’s remarks come as Malaysia faces a worrying health trajectory, with over 11 million citizens classified as overweight and the country now recording the second-highest obesity rate in Southeast Asia.
He underscored that cultivating a fitness culture is not just about sports, but about confronting a public health emergency. - September 28, 2025
