Six-Month Mission to ‘Abang Sado’: Johor Firefighters with High BMI Placed on Strict Diet and Training to Stay Fit for Duty

JOHOR BAHRU, Sept 11 — Firefighters in Johor with a Body Mass Index (BMI) above 30 have been directed to undergo a six-month programme aimed at restoring peak physical fitness.

According to Johor Fire and Rescue Department director Siti Rohani Nadir, 143 officers — most of them aged 40 and above — have been identified for the initiative, The New Straits Times reported.

“This is not about appearance. Firefighters are entrusted with saving lives on land, sea, and air, and they must maintain a high level of fitness to perform these critical tasks effectively,” she said at a press conference here.

The group, representing around 10 per cent of Johor’s firefighting force, will take part in the Wellness Hub Rehabilitation and Strengthening Programme from June to November under the guidance of certified trainers.

“The programme involves structured workouts, controlled diets, and monthly progress assessments. The goal is to bring BMI down to 29 by year-end, and further to 28 next year,” Siti Rohani explained.

She added that those who fail to hit their targets will remain in the programme but will not qualify for excellent service awards or promotions.

Run in collaboration with the Health Ministry, the initiative includes customised meal plans and monitoring of body fat and hydration levels to ensure every firefighter is physically mission-ready.

Last year, Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming announced that BMI would be a factor in fire department promotions, in line with fitness standards applied to the police force.