Call to abolish 24-hour eateries needs to be fine-tuned, says health minister

 

Health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad says the needs of those who depend on 24-hour eateries should be taken into consideration. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: The health ministry has acknowledged a call by a consumer association for the abolition of 24-hour eateries to help reduce obesity in Malaysia, but says the suggestion needs to be fine-tuned.

Health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said that stakeholders should be engaged to ensure a thorough understanding of the issue and a clear and effective solution.

“A proposal will be prepared to be reviewed by the ministry and the government for further action,” he said in a statement to FMT.

The Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) said on Monday that the 24-hour operating licences of eateries should be cancelled to reduce the negative effects of late-night meals.

CAP president Mohideen Abdul Kader said that limiting the intake of late-night meals would be healthier for Malaysians, who are ranked as the most obese adults in Southeast Asia, Malaysiakini reported.

“Even though shortening the operating hours for eateries would not completely solve the obesity issue in Malaysia, it would help reduce late-night eating among Malaysians,” he was quoted as saying.

Dzulkefly said that the needs of those who depend on such eateries, including frontliners such as police and doctors, should be taken into consideration.

“Doing away with such services would inconvenience them,” he said.

He also said that obesity is caused by unhealthy diets and a lack of physical activity, adding that individuals are responsible for their own eating habits and lifestyles.

Noting that one in three Malaysians has low health literacy, he said that closing 24-hour eateries would not guarantee that people do not look for alternatives.

FMT reported earlier today that CAP’s proposal had drawn more brickbats than support from stakeholders, with restaurant operators citing disruptions to the supply chain and the denial of the right to choose for customers.

Think tank Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy said such a ban could reduce the availability of high-calorie food but would not improve the health index. - FMT