JOHOR BARU: The Youth and Sports Ministry will be forwarding its suggestion to the Cabinet to allow gyms nationwide to reopen, says Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu.

       The minister defended his tweet questioning the decision in allowing cinemas to open while outdoor sporting activities and gyms remain closed, saying he always communicates with his colleagues in the Cabinet.

       “The ministry will be forwarding its suggestion, and we are hoping to get the support from other quarters on the possibility to allow gym operators throughout the country to breathe again as their business have been badly affected by the pandemic," said Ahmad Faizal when met after visiting the OKU Sentral drive-through Covid-19 vaccination centre (PPV) at the Johor Baru City Council (MBJB) Aquatic Centre at Arena Larkin here on Wednesday (Sept 8).

       He also said that many were affected by gym closures due to the pandemic, including coaches, resulting in significant loss of income.

       “Those involved in bodybuilding are also affected as a prolonged layoff will affect their bodies.

       “I met with two of our Olympians, Farah Ann Abdul Hadi and Jeremiah Loo Phay Xing, who paid a courtesy visit to me on Tuesday (Sept 7) at the ministry, where they also shared the same views on how lapses in training affect athletes,” he said.

       He added that the ministry would be suggesting to the Health Ministry and National Security Council (NSC) to allow gyms to be open with strict standard operating procedures (SOP).

       “We cannot easily open up a gym as there must be an SOP in place, but if cinemas can start operating again, which is leisure and not a need, then gyms can also be open as it encourages a healthy lifestyle.

       “People who go to gyms are always concerned about their health and I am confident that if authorities allowed gyms to be open with strict SOP, the operators will do the necessary, including having all equipment sanitised,” he said.

       Ahmad Faizal had also appealed to the NSC to allow people to undertake outdoor sports as the council has the authority to do so under the NSC Act.

       He said he believed that the Health Ministry and its minister, Khairy Jamaluddin, will be making the right decision that would meet the peoples' request.

       “I am sure Khairy will be bringing this matter to the NSC meeting, which I am not part of,” he added.