Government to help obese woman in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia’s Penang state government will send a dietician and counsellor to visit obese Nurhaniza Ahmad, weighing 170 kg, to offer her help.

Penang State Health, Welfare, Caring Society and Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh said the dietician would help Nurhaniza follow a healthy diet plan.

“The dietician can guide her to lose weight in a safe and healthy manner without having to take medication or undergo surgery.

“If she is unable to go to hospital, we will try to bring the dietician and counsellor to her,” he was quoted by The Star newspaper Monday as saying.

Nurhaniza, who has been housebound for the past two years because of her weight, said last week that she was dependent on Nurbayti Mihammed Dali, 11, her only daughter, to bathe and cook for the family.

She has to drag herself around the house because her knees fail her when she tries to stand up.

Nurhaniza was divorced seven years ago and two years later, she married Abu Bakar Hashim, 50, who had lost a leg in a motorcycle accident when he was 16.

The report comes after efforts by the Terrengganu state government offering tips to couples to spice up their sex lives to stem the rising divorce rate.

Earlier this month, Terengganu state, backed by its Muslim clergy, took upon itself the task of spicing up sex lives of couples by advising bathing together, avoid body odour and replace “boring pajamas” with sexy lingerie for women.

The state government came up with innovative ways to improve sexual relations, especially among newly-weds.

It also plans to invite cosmetic firms to introduce exotic and sensuous fragrances that can arouse sexual desire.

State Religious and Information Committee deputy chairman Muhammad Ramli Nuh has supported these efforts saying that they can curb the divorce rates among young couples.