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South China Morning Post
18-05-2025
- Health
- South China Morning Post
The Lens: Malaysia's sugar tax loophole fuels obesity crisis despite government efforts
If you are interested in being a regular contributor for The Lens, please apply by clicking this link. 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?
South China Morning Post
13-04-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
The Lens: Should Ubisoft apologise to Japan for Assassin's Creed Shadows?
If you are interested in being a regular contributor for The Lens, please apply by clicking this link. Thoughts from last week Andrea Cheung, 13, Island School Ubisoft is a French company founded in 1986 that specialises in creating video games and owns several popular franchises, including the trending game Assassin's Creed. The latest instalment, Assassin's Creed Shadows, is the fourteenth in the series. However, its release has sparked significant backlash, particularly from Japanese citizens. Many do not believe it is acceptable for the main character of a game set in Japan to be non-Japanese. One commentator stated, 'This is purely Asian hate, to have a black dude as the main character instead of an Asian.' Critics also argue that certain scenes are disrespectful to Japanese Shinto culture. Both sides have entrenched views regarding what is appropriate when portraying different cultures. I believe the game developers should not have received as much backlash as they have. After all, this is just a video game, and the events portrayed are fictional, existing only in a virtual world. Even though it is just a fictional game, one potential concern is that some people may develop skewed perceptions of Japan after playing it. Thus, it is understandable that some people in Japan believe that it will affect how others think about their country's culture. However, even with the controversy, Ubisoft has not made any public responses to these recent critiques. I believe they should issue an apology to the Japanese community, as the game may disrespect their culture and create a misleading image of Japan, particularly with its portrayal of sacred Shinto shrines that locals carefully look after. Read up on this issue in last week's The Lens Read and observe A typical gridlocked street in Bali, where people can barely see past the large number of motorbikes. Photo: Dave Smith Bali, a province of Indonesia, is making waves with an ambitious plan to introduce water taxis at its airport by the end of this year, aiming to alleviate the resort island's notorious traffic congestion. As the number of tourists swells, local officials are betting that this aquatic solution can bring relief to both visitors and residents alike. Set to launch in December, the water taxi service will provide a direct route from Ngurah Rai International Airport to some of Bali's most sought-after resorts. 'Sea transport could help mitigate the problem as the congestion on the land cannot be solved quickly. We will encourage tourists to use the water taxi,' said Wayan Koster, Bali's governor, as quoted by The Bali Sun. Authorities have already conducted trial runs using traditional jukung canoes, with a trip to Uluwatu taking around 35 to 40 minutes. Modern vessels in the mix could slash that time to just 25 to 30 minutes. By contrast, a car ride from the airport can take more than an hour, often bogged down by traffic jams. But the water taxi initiative is just the beginning. Reports from The Bali Times suggest that seaplane services might join the fleet of solutions to ease ground congestion, reinforcing Bali's ambition to establish itself as a maritime tourism hub. In a recent partnership with sea transport operators, Bali authorities have also launched routes linking Tanjung Benoa – a peninsula renowned for its beaches – to popular spots such as Serangan Island and Pedungan. Meanwhile, on land, a substantial budget has been allocated for infrastructure improvements, according to Merdeka, an online news outlet. Plans include new roads connecting the provincial capital of Denpasar to the bustling southern resort area of Badung, slated to begin construction in 2026. Staff writers Research and respond What is the cause of Bali's traffic problem? Do you believe that implementing a water taxi system is the best way to alleviate this issue? Are there other solutions to Bali's congestion issue? At what point could overtourism become a problem?
