Malaysian prime minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, is concerned over the revelation that the country has the highest rate of diabetes cases in Asia and wants the rakyat to fight this scourge and prevent it from becoming worse.

While diabetes is an epidemic in Asia, as many countries record a high number of cases of Type and Type 2 diabetes, the situation in Malaysia is worrying and, what is worse, incidences of pre diabetes cases is also increasingly common.

This means that more Malaysians are expected to suffer from diabetes and Anwar urged ministries and government departments to set an example by reducing the sugar intake when serving food and beverages during events.

He added that as a country with a Muslim majority population, Malaysians must understand and come to terms with the religion’s emphasis on a healthy lifestyle by ensuring that people watch their diet and have sufficient exercise.

Islam stresses on leading a healthy lifestyle but Malaysia is top in Asia for diabetes and this is because the consumption of sugar is high in most of the food and beverages that are commonly sold.

Anwar stated that the responsibility of preventing and controlling diabetes should not only be borne by the Health Ministry but by families and communities and there must be more publicity and awareness campaigns on diabetes.

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE