00:00It is not enough for the government to just propose a higher tax on sugary drinks.
00:07Experts said such a small-scale measure must be accompanied by systemic reforms in the
00:12nation's fight against chronic diseases.
00:14Dr. G. Shanmuganathan, head of a federation of private doctors, said pushing targeted
00:19and evidence-based campaigns on nutrition would be more impactful.
00:24He called for a redesign on food labels to make nutritional information more accessible
00:28as he believed the current designs to be too technical.
00:32Shanmuganathan said many are unaware that carbohydrate-rich food like rice and bread
00:37also contribute to diabetes.
00:39He said this knowledge gap highlighted the need for comprehensive education campaigns
00:43that prioritize preventive health and evidence-based messaging.
00:47Meanwhile, Dr. Moi Fung Ming of University of Malaya said the health ministry should
00:52not only target sugary drinks but also ultra-processed foods high in calories, fat and sodium.
00:59She said the revenue generated from the tax could be used to subsidize healthier foods
01:03like fruits and vegetables.
01:05When tabling the 2025 budget in October, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced a tax increase
01:10on sugary drinks from 50 to 90 cent per liter beginning January next year.
01:16Dhanusha Jareza, FMT News.
