KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has urged the government to mandate a progressive 20–30 per cent reduction in added sugar in processed foods and beverages within three to five years, warning that Malaysia is facing a deepening diabetes crisis.
MMA president Datuk Dr Thirunavukarasu Rajoo said the target is realistic, in line with global practices, and necessary to curb the country’s rising burden of non-communicable diseases.
Malaysia now ranks 13th worldwide—and highest in Southeast Asia—for diabetes prevalence, with 21 per cent of adults, or one in five Malaysians, living with the disease.
The National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2023 also found that 15.6 per cent of adults have diabetes, while more than half are overweight or obese.
“This is no longer just a public health concern; it is a national crisis,” Thirunavukarasu said in a statement issued in conjunction with World Diabetes Day.
He said Malaysia must adopt stronger and more coordinated measures involving the government, industry, educators and the public to prevent the situation from worsening.
“Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to serious complications, including kidney failure, heart disease, stroke, blindness and amputations—all of which require intensive and costly lifelong treatment.
“In 2017 alone, diabetes accounted for RM4.38 billion in direct healthcare spending.
“We cannot allow this to continue. Prevention is far more cost-effective than treatment,” he said, urging all adults to undergo at least one health screening a year for early detection and timely intervention.
He warned that delayed diagnosis not only harms individuals but also strains the healthcare system and the economy. “We must act now to reverse this trend.”
Besides sugar reduction, the MMA is pushing for an expanded sugar tax, clearer front-of-pack nutrition labels and greater availability of healthier, affordable food options.
Thirunavukarasu stressed that the food and beverage industry must be part of the solution.
“We must immediately reduce sugar in our food and drinks. The industry cannot remain on the sidelines,” he said.
The MMA also called for stronger public health education in schools, workplaces and the media to promote healthier lifestyles, alongside wider access to annual screenings—particularly for younger adults who may be unaware of their risk.
The association said diabetes prevention requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, including closer coordination between ministries, local authorities, health professionals and community groups.
While several initiatives already exist, the MMA said firmer alignment and measurable national targets are urgently needed.
“Health is everyone’s responsibility. Only through collective action can we curb the rise of diabetes and protect future generations,” Thirunavukarasu said. – November 14, 2025