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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
04-05-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
The Lens: Knock-off ramen and soju hit South Korean food industry
If you are interested in being a regular contributor for The Lens, please apply by clicking this link. Thoughts from last week Vijay Sathappan Narayanan, 16, Island School Vijay Sathappan Narayanan attends Island School. Photo: Handout From K-pop music to K-dramas, South Korea is etched in pop culture history. This can be seen best in the rise of South Korean food products, which in recent months have been accompanied by an increase in knock-off goods, especially in Asia, but even in Africa and Russia. Such trends impact consumers, local producers and South Korea's international credibility. Buldak Ramen, a brand of instant noodles produced by Samyang Foods, has been extensively copied by counterfeiters. Such knock-off goods mimic South Korean and halal logos, which could negatively impact consumers' safety. Another instance is that of the soju brand Chamisul, which has been replicated in Vietnam and Thailand, with suppliers marking down the product by nearly 30 per cent, thus diverting revenue away from South Korean suppliers. It is estimated that the South Korean government lost around US$2 billion in tax revenue in 2021 due to such supply shocks, which led to mass lay-offs. The widespread presence of counterfeiters can tarnish the reputation of South Korean cuisine and the food industry, with perceptions of such products as 'low quality' or having safety issues diminishing consumer trust and affecting suppliers' integrity. In response, authorities and large players have increased their legal and financial efforts. By partnering with the Korean Food Industry Association, over 190,000 counterfeit food items have been blocked, allowing original suppliers to regain market share. The South Korean government should consider investing in anti-counterfeit packaging technologies or AI-driven tracking systems while adopting more stringent legal frameworks. In conclusion, addressing such roadblocks is vital to protect consumers and preserve the food industry's reputation. Through a multidimensional approach of technology, finance, and legal measures, the government can ensure that we all continue to enjoy high-quality Korean food. Read up on this issue in last week's The Lens Read and observe Japan considers ATM limits for those over 75 amid rising financial fraud cases. Photo: Reuters With more Japanese elderly falling victim to scams, the police are considering limiting how much money this vulnerable group can withdraw or transfer from automatic teller machines (ATMs). The National Police Agency is considering setting a daily withdrawal or transfer limit of 300,000 yen (HK$16,298 or US$2,101) via ATM for bank accounts belonging to Japanese people aged 75 and older, according to The Mainichi. If approved, it would mark the first time that such restrictions on ATM usage are mandated in Japan. While Japanese banks are currently not legally required to set such limits, some have capped daily withdrawal and transfer limits at 500,000 and 1,000,000 yen, respectively, across all users. The proposed move comes as police data shows almost half of the victims in Japan who lost money to fraud without meeting their scammers in person last year were elderly. Total losses from the so-called 'special fraud' rose by almost 60 per cent to 72.1 billion yen last year. Around 45 per cent of the 20,951 victims were aged 75 and above. Some typical fraud methods involve scammers instructing victims to transfer money to designated accounts via ATMs or buy prepaid cards and disclose the relevant codes. However, banks across Japan are worried about the potential inconvenience faced by users and the impact on their ATM operations from the implementation of the police's proposal, according to Japanese media reports. 'We'll continue to discuss the matter so that the user's convenience can be taken into consideration and the burden on financial institutions can be reduced,' a senior police official said, according to The Japan News. The Osaka prefecture, which is one of the areas worst hit by such fraud, is already taking drastic action to protect its elderly residents. Staff writers Do you believe this strategy would help reduce scams and fraud targeting elderly victims in Japan? What are some potential consequences or drawbacks of the proposed law? Is it fair that only elderly citizens are subject to these withdrawal limits?
