KLUANG: The ‘Jom Kosong' campaign will motivate Malaysians to be more health conscious when eating out, says Fuziah Salleh.
The Deputy Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister said a Healthy Ministry study showed that one Malaysian would take 26 teaspoons of sugar per day while the recommended intake was six teaspoons per day.
“Almost 20% of Malaysians or one in every five of us are diabetic where we are the highest country in Southeast Asia to have the most number of diabetes cases.
“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 of it,” she said.
Fuziah said this in a press conference after launching the state-level ‘Jom Kosong' campaign held at an Indian Muslim restaurant along Jalan Sultanah here on Friday (Sept 13).
She added that the ministry was always engaging with its strategic partners to get more restaurants including established chain outlets to be part of ‘Jom Kosong' campaign.
Fuziah said the ministry has roped in the Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Owners Association (Presma), which has 688 members throughout Johor, where they have expressed their support towards the campaign.
“We are targeting Indian Muslim restaurants first because they are the most popular among all Malaysians. The ministry is grateful to Presma for giving their full cooperation to support this initiative.
She added that the next step was to get more popular restaurants including those at highway RNR and food courts nationwide on board the campaign.
On Wednesday, Fuziah said eating out may soon be cheaper and healthier by placing the choice of excluding sugar from drinks at eateries in the hands of the patrons themselves.
She added the 'Jom Kosong' campaign will see many food and retail businesses slowly implement the choice of sugarless drinks for cheaper prices to their customers.
"Customers will also have the option of adding sugar to their drinks with additional cost, similar to adding drink toppings.
"This campaign can help to 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 the people,” she said.
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.
