save malaysia!
Many Malaysians heeding the call to reduce their sugar consumption
savemalaysia
Publish date: Sun, 15 Sep 2024, 07:42 AM
GEORGE TOWN: Offer food or drinks overladen with sugar to the discerning and you are likely to be told: “Potong kaki!” (literally, “cut off leg” in Malay).
When diabetics’ blood sugar levels go out of control, they risk having their feet amputated because a small sore can turn gangrenous, leaving surgeons with no other choice than to sever the appendage.
With an impending rise in the sugar tax, it is heartening to note that many Malaysians are heeding the call to reduce their sugar consumption by ordering drinks with less or even no sugar.
In Penang, there are several traditional kopitiam outlets which place a jar of granulated sugar on the table for the customer to make their own choice on the amount they prefer.
“For those who ask for kopi-O and teh-O, they may add some sugar if they like,” said Micah Ooi, 40, who runs a coffeeshop in Lebuh Gereja in the heart of the heritage enclave.
He said it was now becoming common for many customers to ask for drinks to be made “kurang manis” (less sweet), admitting that there were a handful still unable to keep their sweet tooth at bay.
He said if the government went ahead with the sugar tax hike, he would review his costs before deciding on any price increase. “For now, our prices remain,” he said.
Mazurah Pawanchi, 57, who has a coffeeshop in Komtar, agreed with the plan to increase the sugar tax.
“It is good as it will make us use less sugar in preparing drinks and when cooking,” said Mazurah, who has operated the coffeeshop for about three decades.
She added that she would welcome it if the government decided to start a health awareness campaign in coffeeshops to remind people of the dangers of a high sugar intake.
Another Komtar food seller, Zainul Razman Zainul Abidin, 46, said he would wait and see before deciding on a price increase.
On Sept 8, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim urged business owners to play an active role in encouraging the public to reduce sugar use in their orders.
Under Budget 2024, the government increased the tax on sugary drinks from 40sen to 50sen per litre starting Jan 1 this year.
The tax hike successfully reduced the consumption of sugary drinks by 9.25% nationwide.
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/09/15/many-malaysians-heeding-the-call-to-reduce-their-sugar-consumption
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Discussions
Be the first to like this. Showing 21 of 21 comments
Haramkan terus je. Waiting for more obesity, diabetes, heart problem, cancer and knee and spine damages to happen? Nothing more addictive and harmful than sugar (except digital devices and social media)
3 days ago
For alcohol, how many percent Some traditional fermented food with less than 5% should be arguable ok, right?
3 days ago
So people change to drink powerroot or Perl non sugar but a bit bitter. Ok or not?
3 days ago
Clearly, substances that cause harm to the body and mind are discouraged or deemed haram. Given the scientific evidence linking excessive sugar consumption to severe health problems, it could be argued that sugar fits this criterion. By classifying sugar as haram, Malaysia would align its health policies with Islamic ethical principles that prioritize the well-being of its citizens. There is no two ways about it.
3 days ago
Got exemption: if nothing to drink or eat, they said can eat the haram. . like sugar laa.
3 days ago
Sugar addiction involves the brain’s reward system, where consuming sugar triggers dopamine and opioid release, creating pleasure and cravings. Blood sugar spikes and crashes, insulin resistance, and gut-brain signals further fuel this dependence. Habitual consumption also leads to psychological attachment, reinforcing the cycle, potentially contributing to weight gain, metabolic disorders, and chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease.
3 days ago
Public Health Crisis: Malaysia has one of the highest rates of diabetes and obesity in Southeast Asia. Excessive sugar consumption is directly linked to the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes and obesity. Cardiovascular complications and kidney failure, both outcomes of poor diabetes control, burden the healthcare system and society at large. Proactive measures like declaring sugar as haram would directly target the root cause of these chronic conditions, promoting healthier lifestyles.
3 days ago
Long-term Societal Impact: Diabesity and its complications have a detrimental effect on the workforce, reducing productivity and leading to premature death. The government, by curbing sugar, can protect the nation's economic future by fostering a healthier, more capable population.
The economic impact of treating diabetes and its complications is enormous. The healthcare system is overwhelmed by the rising costs of managing chronic diseases, from expensive dialysis treatments to cardiac surgeries. By reducing sugar consumption, the government can lower the incidence of these diseases, decreasing healthcare expenditure and reallocating resources to other critical areas.
3 days ago
Justice = Fair and square. Preventive Health Policies: The ban or strict regulation of sugar would align with other public health initiatives like tobacco control and alcohol regulation, demonstrating that the government takes preventive health policies seriously. Public education alone has not been enough to curb sugar consumption; stronger legislative action is necessary.
3 days ago
Moral Responsibility vs irresponsibility: The government has a duty to protect its citizens from preventable diseases. By allowing unrestricted access to sugary foods and drinks, the government is inadvertently enabling unhealthy choices. A haramkan sugar would reflect a commitment to safeguarding public health, particularly among vulnerable populations, including children and low-income groups, who are disproportionately affected by sugar-laden diets.
3 days ago
What about Sugarbaby & Sugardaddy? Need to Tax Kaw kaw this kind of sugar also bad for Msia?
2 days ago
Sugar dating reduces personal relationships to transactional exchanges, undermining genuine emotional connections and promoting a view of love as a business deal.
2 days ago
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