BMI rule for PDRM promotions: Fit for the job, fit for the rank

KUALA LUMPUR – Officers and personnel of the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) with a body mass index (BMI) of less than 28 will be eligible for promotion.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said that the BMI requirement is an additional condition set for acting appointments and promotions within the force, local media reported.

“The granting of acting appointments and promotions has been tightened with an additional condition requiring any officer or personnel’s BMI to be below 28,” he said during the monthly assembly of the Bukit Aman Management Department here today.

He added that this initiative aims to ensure the health and appearance of police officers, enhancing their ability to provide the best service to the community and the nation.

Furthermore, he noted that the promotion process within PDRM has been strengthened to be more transparent, fair, and provide equal opportunities to qualified personnel.

In this regard, the Senior Officer Acting Promotion Policy for PDRM officers has been introduced alongside the development of a more efficient Human Resource Development System.

“The promotion process has been enhanced through the implementation of the e-Course Evaluation and the Online Competency Assessment (PeKAT) starting this year,” he said.

“The aim is to curb favouritism, allegations, and to ensure the selection of suitable, competent, and qualified candidates,” he added.

Razarudin mentioned that the Assistant Superintendent (ASP) to Deputy Superintendent (DSP) promotion policy is being implemented to fill 254 DSP vacancies this year.

Through strategic cooperation between PDRM and public higher learning institutions (IPTA), PDRM personnel with high professionalism and credibility have been produced through policing-based academic programmes.

He highlighted a collaboration with the National University of Malaysia (UKM) through the Master of Social Science Programme, which has been strengthened by optimising the programme’s impact, increasing the number of participants per cohort to 40 senior police officers, and reducing the study period to just 12 months.

Razarudin also shared that PDRM is exploring new synergies with the University of Malaya (UM) through the Master’s in Criminal Justice Programme, which begins in March this year. The 18-month programme will involve 30 participants, including 29 senior PDRM officers and one participant from the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM).

Additionally, he confirmed PDRM’s commitment to enhancing the academic qualifications of its lower-ranked officers. This year, 1,350 probationary constables will take part in the MQA PLAK Programme.

The programme includes four diploma courses: Diploma in Police Management, Diploma in Police Investigations, Diploma in National Security, and Diploma in Security Intelligence. – January 16, 2025