By Yasmin Ramlan
SHAH ALAM, Oct 22 — The state government has pledged to support its Federal counterpart in discouraging sugar intake among citizens, following the announcement that excise duty on sweet drinks would be increased at the beginning next year.
State executive councillor for public health and the environment Jamaliah Jamaluddin said Selangor is prepared to incorporate initiatives to persuade the public to avoid sugary food and beverages into its health campaigns.
"During our public health campaigns, we will actively promote the advantages of reducing sugar consumption and raise awareness about current health issues,” she told Selangor Journal yesterday.
[caption id="attachment_363421" align="alignright" width="437"]
State executive councillor for public health and the environment Jamaliah Jamaluddin speaks at a press conference on the Selangor edition of the Environment Carnival 2024, at Wisma DNS, Shah Alam, on July 10, 2024. — Picture by HAFIZ OTHMAN/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
Selangor has been implementing various measures to promote a healthy lifestyle, including the SLIM Selangor programme, which encourages the public to take part in physical fitness activities and have better dietary choices, and the Selangor Health Partnership programme that aims to improve public health through collaborations with various institutions.
It also organises the Selangor Saring programme, providing free health screenings for non-communicable diseases including diabetes, hypertension, and liver disease.
RM59.7 million has been allocated by the state government for public health initiatives this year.
When tabling Budget 2025 on Friday (October 18), Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that the excise duty on sugary drinks will be increased from the current 50 sen to 90 sen per litre in stages starting from January 1, 2025, as part of the government’s “war on sugar”.
The sugar tax, first introduced in 2019, initially imposed a rate of 40 sen per litre on ready-to-drink beverages with more than five grammes of sugar per 100ml, before it was increased to 50 sen this year.
Jamaliah said that while achieving significant and immediate results from the increase in the sugar tax is the main goal, particularly in Selangor, it may take time to realise this objective.
This is due to the challenges involved in gathering comprehensive data from the Selangor Health Department, which is essential for effective monitoring.
However, she views Putrajaya’s announcement as a positive step, stressing that reducing sugar intake can greatly benefit public health, given that many illnesses in Malaysia are linked to excessive consumption of sugar, oil, and unhealthy foods.
"The government's decision is undoubtedly a step in the right direction. While cutting subsidies or increasing taxes may bring about changes in certain areas, it is essential to recognise that the funds saved can be redirected towards crucial initiatives that promote public health.
“This reallocation can lead to more positive outcomes, ultimately benefiting our communities and enhancing overall well-being,” Jamaliah said.
On August 2, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said that Malaysia is still listed as the country with the highest prevalence of diabetes in Southeast Asia, with one out of six Malaysians having diabetes.
The results of the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2023 also showed a rising prevalence of overweight and obesity among Malaysians, from 50.1 per cent in 2019 to 54.5 per cent in 2023.
