The move by the government to adjust downwards the subsidy for sugar should be seen as a blessing in disguise as it could spur Malaysians to change their unhealthy eating habits.
Perak Raja Muda Raja Dr Nazrin Shah said with at least 15 per cent of Malaysians diagnosed as diabetic, the increase in the price of sugar should encourage Malaysians to cut their intake.
"The rise of 25 sen from RM1.65 to RM1.90 per kilogramme of sugar should be taken positively. It should prompt us to reduce our consumption of the sweet stuff.
"With the coming Ramadan, this is a good opportunity for Malaysians to do a hijrah (migration) towards a healthier lifestyle," he said in speech at the opening of a RM10.2 million health clinic here yesterday.
Present were Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohd Nasir Mohd Ashraf and state Health Department director Datuk Dr Ahmad Razin Ahmad Mahir.
Urging Malaysians to train themselves to eat and drink in a balanced, moderate and healthy manner, Raja Nazrin said the increase of health-related problems in the country was reaching worrying stages.
"Besides diabetes, 44 per cent Malaysians are obese or overweight, 25 per cent are smokers, 33 per cent have high blood pressure and 21 per cent cholesterol level. And, sadly 60 per cent of Malaysians do not exercise at all... only 11 per cent are disciplined enough to meet the minimum level of exercise required.
"As such, more Malaysians are suffering chronic health problems and becoming a burden to their families, to the taxpayers and the country which has to bear the expense of higher curative treatment."
He said the irony among Malaysians, especiallyyoungsters, was that they were prepared to spend money and effort to keep their vehicles shiny and in a tip-top condition at regular intervals but not their own health.
They smoked, drank alcohol excessively, used dadah, ate unhealthily, slept irregularly, hardly exercised and were also unkempt, the raja muda lamented.
He said such habits were the primary reasons for the growing health problems in the country, adding that the responsibility of creating a nation of healthy people did not depend solely on the government or the Health Ministry.
Raja Nazrin stressed that parents needed to play a greater role in educating their children on healthy dietary habits, creating a healthier environment at home, encouraging exercises, increasing de-stressing activities like prayers and meditation and shunning unhealthy habits.
Perak Raja Muda Raja Dr Nazrin Shah said with at least 15 per cent of Malaysians diagnosed as diabetic, the increase in the price of sugar should encourage Malaysians to cut their intake.
"The rise of 25 sen from RM1.65 to RM1.90 per kilogramme of sugar should be taken positively. It should prompt us to reduce our consumption of the sweet stuff.
"With the coming Ramadan, this is a good opportunity for Malaysians to do a hijrah (migration) towards a healthier lifestyle," he said in speech at the opening of a RM10.2 million health clinic here yesterday.
Present were Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohd Nasir Mohd Ashraf and state Health Department director Datuk Dr Ahmad Razin Ahmad Mahir.
Urging Malaysians to train themselves to eat and drink in a balanced, moderate and healthy manner, Raja Nazrin said the increase of health-related problems in the country was reaching worrying stages.
"Besides diabetes, 44 per cent Malaysians are obese or overweight, 25 per cent are smokers, 33 per cent have high blood pressure and 21 per cent cholesterol level. And, sadly 60 per cent of Malaysians do not exercise at all... only 11 per cent are disciplined enough to meet the minimum level of exercise required.
"As such, more Malaysians are suffering chronic health problems and becoming a burden to their families, to the taxpayers and the country which has to bear the expense of higher curative treatment."
He said the irony among Malaysians, especiallyyoungsters, was that they were prepared to spend money and effort to keep their vehicles shiny and in a tip-top condition at regular intervals but not their own health.
They smoked, drank alcohol excessively, used dadah, ate unhealthily, slept irregularly, hardly exercised and were also unkempt, the raja muda lamented.
He said such habits were the primary reasons for the growing health problems in the country, adding that the responsibility of creating a nation of healthy people did not depend solely on the government or the Health Ministry.
Raja Nazrin stressed that parents needed to play a greater role in educating their children on healthy dietary habits, creating a healthier environment at home, encouraging exercises, increasing de-stressing activities like prayers and meditation and shunning unhealthy habits.
