About 59.2 per cent of employees who underwent the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) Health Screening Programme (HSP) between 2023 and 2025 were found to be overweight or obese.
Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan said the findings also showed that around 19 per cent of participants had diabetes, while 17.45 per cent were diagnosed with high blood pressure.
He added that the analysis further revealed that about 59.24 per cent of those screened had high cholesterol levels, with most at-risk individuals falling within the 40 to 59 age group.
“We must realise that the pre-retirement stage is a productive period, but at the same time, it is also a critical phase for non-communicable disease (NCD) risks,” he said.
He also noted that the Ministry of Health has reported that only 14.7 per cent of senior citizens in Malaysia currently achieve healthy ageing.
Khairul Firdaus expressed concern that cancer remains the third leading cause of death in the country, with increasing cases being detected among younger age groups.
He urged Malaysians not to take NCD awareness lightly and encouraged workers to adopt healthier lifestyles and balanced diets.
Speaking at the PERKESO Run and Ride 2026 launch held in conjunction with Labour Day 2026, he said participation trends showed positive momentum.
He noted that around 30 per cent of participants in the event were aged between their 40s and 50s, reflecting growing health awareness among older working groups.
The event, now in its ninth edition, recorded a total participation of 12,000 people, marking its largest turnout to date and highlighting strong support for national efforts to promote healthier lifestyles.
