KL gym licence fees cut by 80% to tackle obesity

2026-03-03 - 07:43

Gym operators in Kuala Lumpur will be charged less than the RM5,000 they currently pay in annual licence fees. (Envato Elements pic) KUALA LUMPUR: Federal territories minister Hannah Yeoh has announced an 80% reduction in gym licence fees in Kuala Lumpur, lowering the rate from RM50 to RM10 per square metre, effective immediately. Yeoh said the move followed three years of engagement with industry players, including the Malaysia Gymnasium Association. “Previously, gym operators paid about RM5,000 annually in licence fees. Now, they only need to pay RM1,000. This is a reduction of 80%,” she said at a press conference at Menara DBKL here today. She said premises that included spa, massage or other commercial elements would be subject to separate licences. “If it is a ‘pure’ gym, they enjoy RM10 per square metre. If they add elements like spas, cafes, or commercial components, they will have to pay for different licences.” Yeoh pointed to data from the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2023, which stated that overweight Malaysian adults made up about 32.6% of the population, or approximately 6.86 million people, while 21.8% were obese. She said Kuala Lumpur recorded an obesity rate of 40.6% — the highest in the country — while Putrajaya’s stood at 35.5% and Labuan’s at 34.8%. “Based on these worrying statistics, we have to take drastic action,” she said. However, the minister said the government would not compel operators to reduce prices. “We cannot tell them it is a must to give discounts, but we encourage them. Forcing gym operators to bring down prices will not work.” Yeoh encouraged gyms to offer membership discounts during off-peak hours and special packages for senior citizens to encourage more people to exercise.