Malaysian state to whip pot-bellied cops into shape

KUALA LUMPUR - Fat police officers in Malaysia’s central state of Pahang will soon be forced to attend daily exercise sessions in response to criticisms that many in the force were out of shape, a newspaper reported Wednesday.

“I am aware that there are personnel in the force who are pot-bellied and overweight,” said state police chief Sharifuddin Abdul Ghani.

“As police personnel, it will be difficult for them to discharge their duties professionally,” he was quoted as saying by the Star newspaper.

Officers, who were deemed unfit, would have to undergo daily training and exercises until their weight and fitness levels were acceptable, Sharifuddin said.

He said the entire police force in the state would also be required to take part in weekly aerobics exercises, adding that medical officers would routinely check officers’ body mass index and other health indicators.

Malaysian police have long battled a negative public perception of being sluggish and largely inefficient in battling rising crime.