Sweet life without sugar: Fuziah launching the state level ‘Jom Kosong’ campaign at an Indian Muslim restaurant along Jalan Sultanah here in Kluang, Johor. — THOMAS YONG/The Star
KLUANG: The Jom Kosong campaign will motivate Malaysians to be more health conscious when eating out at restaurants, says the Deputy Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister.
Fuziah Salleh said based on a study by the Health Ministry, the average Malaysian takes 26 teaspoons of sugar per day while the recommended maximum intake was six teaspoons.
“Almost 20% of Malaysians or one in every five of us has diabetes – we have the highest number of diabetes cases in South-East Asia.
“Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim recently called upon Malaysians to take health knowledge seriously, particularly regarding the dangers of excessive sugar consumption, and this campaign will create awareness on it,” she said after launching the state level Jom Kosong campaign at an Indian Muslim restaurant here on Friday.
Fuziah said the ministry was always engaging with its strategic partners to get more restaurants, including established chain outlets, to be part of the Jom Kosong campaign.
She added that the ministry has roped in the Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Owners Association (Presma), which has 688 members throughout Johor, for support.
“We are targeting Indian Muslim restaurants first because they are the most popular among all Malaysians. The ministry is grateful to Presma, which is giving its full cooperation to support this initiative.
“We will then go to other popular restaurants including at RnR (highway rest and service areas) and food courts nationwide to get as many food operators to be part of this campaign,” she added.
On Wednesday, Fuziah said eating out may soon be cheaper and healthier, with the choice of paying less to exclude sugar from drinks at eateries to be in the hands of patrons themselves.
She added that the Jom Kosong campaign will see many food and retail businesses gradually offering more sugarless drinks at cheaper prices.
“Customers will also have the option of adding sugar to their drinks at an additional cost, similar to adding drink toppings.
“This campaign can help educate the public on the financial cost of sugar to help them make healthier choices.
“Essentially, we are empowering people to become more health-conscious users, while at the same time, teaching them to save money by cutting unnecessary costs,” she said.
Fuziah said the ministry also hopes to encourage Malaysians, who love to eat out, to switch to sugar-free drinks for a healthier and more affordable lifestyle.
“This will help spread awareness on the need, and how, to cut excessive sugar intake in drinks, which is one of the main causes of obesity among people,” she added.
To support this push, Fuziah said all products containing sugar would also be immediately removed from the list of discounted items under the ministry’s Jualan Rahmah Madani programme.
