The Health Ministry has responded to a request from the Consumers’ Association of Penang to consider abolishing 24-hour restaurants as a measure to combat obesity among Malaysians. The proposal to abolish 24-hour restaurants stems from concerns about the impact of late-night eating habits on overall health. Proponents argue that restricting access to food during late hours could help curb overeating and unhealthy dietary choices, thereby potentially reducing obesity rates in the country.
Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad emphasized the importance of engaging stakeholders to gain a comprehensive understanding of the issue and develop effective solutions. According to FMT, he indicated that a proposal would be formulated for review by both the ministry and the government, aiming to investigate and address the issue further. The Consumers’ Association of Penang suggested that licenses for 24-hour operating restaurants should be prohibited as part of efforts to reduce late-night meals.
As per a report from Malaysiakini, Mohideen Abdul Kader, president of Consumers’ Association of Penang suggested that curbing late-night meal consumption would promote better health for Malaysians, who are identified as having the highest obesity rates among adults in Southeast Asia. He emphasized that while reducing the operating hours of eateries might not entirely resolve the obesity problem in Malaysia, it could contribute to minimizing late-night eating habits among the populace.
Dzulkefly emphasized the importance of considering the needs of individuals, including frontline workers such as police and doctors, who rely on such eateries. He expressed concern that discontinuing these services could cause inconvenience to them. Additionally, he pointed out that obesity is primarily a result of unhealthy dietary habits and insufficient physical activity, stressing that individuals bear responsibility for their own lifestyles and eating choices. Highlighting the low health literacy rate among Malaysians, he cautioned that closing 24-hour eateries might not necessarily deter people from seeking alternative options.
Notably, Consumers’ Association Penang’s suggestion encountered resistance from various stakeholders, particularly restaurant operators. They voiced apprehensions regarding potential disruptions in the supply chain and expressed concern that implementing such measures might restrict customers’ freedom to make their own choices regarding dining options.
Source: Free Malaysia Today
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