KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today said it is time to monitor stalls selling sugary items as part of the campaign against excessive sugar consumption.
"If you (traders) serve too much sugar in drinks to take care of your family welfare, it should not come at the expense of others (health).
"This excess sugar means that the person who sells it contributes to the damage to the body and health of buyers.
"If they say it's okay, it's not less sweet and they want to add sugar, then it is fine."
He said this at the National Wellness Month celebration here.
Present were Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad and Negri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun.
He said Dr Dzulkefly often mentioned that school canteens were among the places selling the least healthy food.
"It is about controlling the quality of food to ensure children stay healthy."
He called for all parties, including political leaders, and public and non-governmental organisations to address this issue.
Anwar said Malaysia's status as the country with the highest diabetes rate in Asia was not something to be proud of.
Despite discussions on artificial intelligence, industrial growth and high-quality education, he said, health awareness among Malaysians remained alarmingly low.
"Let's save our country, our children and our families by controlling our sugar intake.
"We are not asking for a complete ban. If you don't have diabetes, you don't need to stop taking sugar completely, but don't pray to get diabetes."