Malaysia’s new plan to beat obesity: slash gym licence fees in Kuala Lumpur
Faced with some of Southeast Asia’s highest obesity rates, officials are dangling a regulatory ‘carrot’ to gym operators – but will it work?
The move comes as Malaysia grapples with some of the region’s highest obesity rates – a problem health officials say is especially pronounced in sedentary urban centres such as the capital.
Under the new rate, effective from January 1, gyms in Kuala Lumpur now pay 10 ringgit (US$2) per square metre, down from 50 ringgit. Federal Territories Minister Hannah Yeoh said operators who previously paid about 5,000 ringgit (US$1,270) a year would now pay about 1,000 ringgit.
“Previously, gym operators paid about 5,000 ringgit annually in licence fees. Now, they only need to pay 1,000 ringgit. This is a reduction of 80 per cent,” she said at a press conference at City Hall last week.
The initiative would start in Kuala Lumpur before extending to Putrajaya and Labuan, she said, adding that only “pure” gyms would qualify for the 10 ringgit rate.
“If it is a ‘pure’ gym, they enjoy [the discount]. If they add elements like spas, cafes or commercial components, they will have to pay for different licences.”