The cabinet has agreed that every ministry will have 15-minute exercise sessions every day to encourage a healthy lifestyle, said Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad.

Dzulkefly said under this programme, which will be called ‘X-Break’, every ministry will be required to hold exercise sessions for their staff, either in the mornings or evenings.

“This proposal was agreed to by all the ministers recently; we proposed 15 minutes each day, either in the morning or evening, but it is flexible to each ministry.

“Some ministries are already doing it, but we will provide a guideline for all,” he told reporters after launching the ‘Big Walk’ active lifestyle campaign in Kuala Lumpur today.

He added that the Health Ministry will be meeting with the Public Service Department tomorrow to draw up a circular which will be sent to all the ministries.

Last year, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad proposed that all government department and private sector staff be required to exercise for 15 minutes.

Earlier, about 3,000 participants joined the Big Walk programme, which was organised to promote a healthy lifestyle.

- Bernama