Perak is the ‘oldest’
‘Make promoting a healthy lifestyle a culture at work’
More and more retirees flock to the sleepy former tin mining state.
SHAH ALAM: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has suggested that government offices and the private sector allocate 15 minutes for exercise and make it a culture to promote a healthy lifestyle.
“I suggest all government offices, as well as private firms, stop work for a while at 11am to exercise; if possible, outside in the open.
“The staff should go out for 15 minutes to exercise and then get back to work,” he said at the launch of “When Active Living Kicks” (WALK) campaign by the Health Ministry yesterday.
Also present were Dr Mahathir’s wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, and Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
Dr Mahathir advised the public not to smoke and eat excessively and avoid alcoholic drinks.
He said he has no secrets for still being healthy at the age of 93, except to always maintain a healthy lifestyle.
“Our lifestyle should be to our comfort and suits our health,” he added.
Dr Mahathir also shared a tip on maintaining a fit body, which is not to eat or drink too much.
Eating or drinking too much could make one fat or have a belly, he said.
“Do not eat too much ... when the food still tastes good, stop eating,” he added.
Dr Mahathir said it was important to control body weight because when the body is small, the heart easily pumps blood to the whole body.
He reminded Malaysians to walk more to avoid muscle contraction when they get older.
“Our muscles, if we do not use them, after some time they contract and become weak.
“My house has a lift, but I take the stairs,” he said.
Dr Dzulkefly, in his speech, said the WALK campaign was launched to encourage Malaysians to be more active by doing physical activities.