PUTRAJAYA: The Public Service Department (JPA) has issued a clarification regarding claims that all public servants will be required to maintain a healthy Body Mass Index (BMI) starting next year.
The statement was in response to remarks made by the director of Miri Hospital, Ministry of Health (KKM) Dr. Jack Wong Siew Yu on Dec 7, 2024.
“According to JPA, as outlined in the Public Service Circular (MyPPSM) Section S.R 2.5.1 issued on Sept 6, 2022, public servants are encouraged to conduct self-health screenings, which include recording their weight and height to determine their BMI.
“The department clarified that it has never issued any directive mandating public servants to achieve a balanced BMI,” it said in a press release yesterday (Dec 18).
JPA also said that any public statement involving the department must receive prior official authorisation and urged that the department not be cited as a reference without verified facts.
The clarification aims to ensure accurate information is communicated to the public and to avoid misunderstandings. JPA remains committed to collaborating with the Ministry of Health to address obesity issues among public servants and to support broader public health initiatives.
