PORT DICKSON, Sept 8 – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reminded the people to take health knowledge seriously, particularly regarding the dangers of excessive sugar consumption.
He said this is due to the fact that Malaysia has the highest number of diabetes cases in Southeast Asia, reflecting that the level of health literacy among the people in the country remains low.
“Obesity, excessive weight, and diabetes rates are prevalent, so please, save the country, save the children, save our families, and our parents by controlling sugar intake, (but) not stopping it completely.
“How do we reduce obesity? By cutting down on carbohydrates, more exercise—but don’t jog only during the health campaigns. We need to maintain our health. We are busy, but that is a weak excuse. We’re busy, but we still sleep and eat, so we should also make time to exercise,” he said when launching the 2024 National Wellness Month celebration on Sunday.
Also present were Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad and Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun.
The Prime Minister also said that health literacy or sugar reduction campaigns, as well as health literacy policies, would only be effective if people begin changing their eating habits now.
School canteens should sell healthy food to ensure students’ well-being, while the use of sugar in the food and drink menus at government functions should be reduced, he said.
