‘Diabetes not caused only by sugar intake’
KUALA LUMPUR – The higher price of sugar may not lead to a lower number of diabetics, said the Association of Muslim Restaurant Operators Malaysia.
Its president, Noorul Hassan Saul Hameed, said there was no direct correlation between the price of sugar and the disease.
“Sugar is just one factor out of many that contribute to diabetes.
“Diabetes is connected to one’s lifestyle, not purely by sugar intake.
“Schools should take part in raising the awareness on diabetes as Malaysians are still clueless on the importance of healthy living.”
He was commenting on the government’s move to abolish sugar subsidy in the 2014 Budget.
He felt the implementation should have been introduced in stages.
“The people are still adapting to the recent fuel price hike.
“It is not the right time to further burden them with a sudden increment of 34 sen.”
He said the abolition of sugar subsidy would not necessarily result in higher food prices, though he cautioned that it might happen if manufacturers increased the prices of processed food.
“Canned drinks, condensed milk and syrup are just a few examples of many sugar-based products that are used in restaurants.
“If the prices of these items go up, restaurants will have no choice but to raise their prices, too.”
Meanwhile, a quick check at a convenience store here revealed that all packed sugar had been snapped up.
Its manager, Nursyafiqah Awang, 24, said the last packet was sold on Friday night, right after the 2014 Budget announcement.
Elyaas Corner Restaurant’s co-owner Elfitrawaty binti Awang, 42, said the abolition of sugar subsidy would burden food operators.
“I know that the government needs to increase the price of sugar but it would be helpful if a 50 per cent subsidy could be given to restaurant operators as we have to pay workers’ salaries and utilities, among others.”
She said her restaurant might increased the prices of their food and drinks.
Source: New Straits Times
Published: 28 Oct 2013
