by Playfuls Staff |
21st February 2007
Malaysia's customs department has announced it will be compulsory for its officers to go for workouts at the gym at least twice a month following a sharp rise in fitness-related [more] deaths of its officers, a news report said Wednesday.
"Over the past three years, 105 officers aged between 45 and 55 have passed away while on duty," said department director Abdul Rahman Abdul Hamid.
"They had health problems and some went home complaining of chest pains, before passing away suddenly," he told the Malay-language Berita Harian daily.
He said all officers would now have to go for workouts at a gymnasium at least twice a month, adding that exercise facilities will be built at all customs housing estates.
Abdul Rahman said the high number of deaths of field officers was worrying, adding that the department was also considering taking older officers off the field and giving them desk jobs.
Two months ago, the department made it compulsory for all officers aged above 40 to undergo a full medical examination.
© 2007 DPA
