The Lens: Malaysia's sugar tax loophole fuels obesity crisis despite government efforts
Thoughts from last week
Andrea Cheung, 13, Island School
Malaysia is one of the most obese countries in Asia, with half of its adult population classified as overweight. The nation is facing a growing childhood obesity epidemic, which has yet to be effectively addressed by the government.
As a food-obsessed nation, sugary treats are readily available in convenience stores, and sweetened beverages like Milo and Horlicks are sold on nearly every street corner.
Additionally, late-night meals often contain an excessive number of calories. As a result, many citizens are now suffering from diabetes, necessitating lifestyle changes to maintain their health and safety.
The increase in obesity and diabetes also places additional strain on the nation's healthcare and emergency services, as more medical professionals are needed to support individuals at high risk for heart attacks and other health complications.
In response to rising obesity rates, the Malaysian government has introduced a sugar tax on beverages containing more than five grams of sugar per millilitre.
However, drinks prepared and served by restaurants or street vendors are exempt from this tax. This loophole may contribute to the persistent obesity and diabetes rates, as many people continue to buy sugary beverages from street vendors for convenience.
To significantly impact public health, the Malaysian government should consider extending the sugar tax to include drinks prepared at eateries.
Additionally, promoting a healthier lifestyle is essential. This could involve building more parks for exercise and incorporating daily physical activity into school schedules.
By educating the community on the benefits of a healthier lifestyle, individuals can improve their well-being while alleviating some pressure on the Malaysian healthcare system.
Read up on this issue in last week's The Lens
Read and observe
Jakarta's new policy requires civil servants to use public transport on Wednesdays. Photo: Xinhua
A new policy mandating all civil servants in Jakarta to take public transport every Wednesday to ease chronic traffic congestion has drawn criticism over its practicality.
Jakarta's top leaders were seen adhering to the mandate, which took effect on the last Wednesday of April. Governor Pramono Anung took a bus from his official residence to attend a meeting. A deputy governor took the subway and bus to reach Jakarta City Hall, The Jakarta Post reported.
Pramono has said the policy will be enforced, although there are currently no sanctions for non-compliance.
Authorities would be monitoring civil servants who use private vehicles on Wednesdays, according to news magazine Tempo, citing Pramono. Those who ignore the regulation might not find parking for their vehicles, he added. According to Pramono, the policy applies to about 65,000 personnel, including 45,000 civil servants, with the rest being contract workers.
To enforce the policy, road barriers were placed at the entrance to the city hall to block private vehicles. Three security guards were also assigned to guard the gate.
Jakarta is ranked the world's seventh most congested city, according to the 2024 Global Traffic Scorecard. According to
The Star, citing local statistics, it has 22 million vehicles, double that of its population, with motorcycles accounting for 80 per cent.
Only about 10 per cent of daily commuters in Jakarta utilise public transport, a figure far below the city's 55 per cent target by 2045.
Due to limited public transport access, employees living in suburban or outlying areas have said they rely on private vehicles to reach a bus or a subway station.
While Jakarta's public transport had become more accessible in recent years, significant improvements were still required, particularly to connect the Greater Jakarta area, Pramono said.
Staff writers
Research and respond
Do you believe this mandate is fair? Does it adequately address the diverse transport needs and accommodation of all civil servants?
Could this mandate help reduce traffic congestion? Why or why not?
What other strategies could Jakarta implement to mitigate traffic congestion?
Should other cities consider adopting this scheme? What places could benefit from the measure?
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
9 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Hongkongers warned of elevated chikungunya fever risk as cases rise across Asia
Hong Kong health authorities have warned of a heightened risk of possible chikungunya fever transmissions in the city as more Asian travel destinations popular among residents have also recorded local cases of the mosquito-borne disease. Director of Health Dr Ronald Lam Man-kin on Sunday also highlighted the challenges of preventing the disease from spreading, pointing to its 'significantly' shorter incubation period in mosquitoes, which allowed the virus to replicate more quickly. Lam's warning came after the city recorded five confirmed chikungunya fever cases. Following the city's first imported chikungunya fever case in six years on August 2, four new cases were subsequently confirmed, concerning residents who had also been to Foshan in Guangdong province and Bangladesh. 'Many of Hong Kong's popular travel destinations, especially in Asia, have seen local transmission. We have seen several imported cases over the past week,' Lam told a television programme on Sunday. 'The source of these cases is not limited to mainland China, but also includes other places like Bangladesh.'
South China Morning Post
12 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
How we can support silently stressed-out men around us
Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@ or filling in this Google form . Submissions should not exceed 400 words, and must include your full name and address, plus a phone number for verification As a middle-aged man and a breadwinner, I totally understand the struggles facing men ('Silence is deadly for Hong Kong men as suicide rate worsens over past decade', July 26 ). From a young age, men are taught by family and society that they must act tough in the face of adversity. As whining about a challenge or hardship might be perceived as a sign of weakness, suppressing their feelings is almost second nature to many men. Such gender stereotypes fuel high expectations of fathers, who feel the need to show they have brawn and brains and can be strong role models for their children. After a day at work, some men feel they have to leave their stress at the door when they go home, or at least put on a happy face for the family. While it is true that bringing work pressure home might affect domestic relations and is best avoided, a prolonged bottling up of feelings might backfire. It doesn't help that men are neither trained nor encouraged to express their emotions and seek professional help; mental health is often regarded as a taboo. Inappropriate advice from well-meaning people could just be the straw that breaks the camel's back, and a prime example is the seemingly innocuous suggestion: 'Don't give yourself so much pressure.' While this seems encouraging on the surface, it could sound like victim-blaming to someone who has mental health issues. What should be done instead to identify male family members who could be facing mental health issues?
South China Morning Post
a day ago
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong's No 2 official urges calm over fears of chikungunya fever outbreak
Hong Kong's No 2 official has sought to calm public panic over a possible outbreak of chikungunya fever, expressing confidence that infections can be contained with government workers stepping up mosquito control efforts. Advertisement Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki made the appeal as Hong Kong reported five imported cases in a week, while Tuen Mun recorded high mosquito index levels that prompted authorities to speed up implementing pest control measures. 'The public does not need to panic as all the cases are from the mainland or imported from overseas. The most important thing is to take good care of yourself and be careful,' Chan told a radio programme on Saturday. 'We absolutely must prevent mosquitoes that might be carrying the virus from biting anyone. So, we have intensified mosquito eradication efforts at all our border crossings.' His assurance came as the latest mosquito data released by the government suggested a boom in the pest's numbers over the past month in So Kwun Wat in Tuen Mun. Advertisement The area recorded a Gravidtrap index reading of 16.4 per cent, the highest among the results made available for the 13 districts surveyed.
