Hong Kong tourist questions Malaysians’ love affair with sugar

 

MALAYSIANS  may disagree over politics, football and the best place for nasi lemak.

But one thing that unites many of us is the belief that a meal is incomplete without a sweet drink.

Apparently, this national habit has caught the attention of a tourist from Hong Kong, who took to X to question Malaysia’s seemingly enthusiastic relationship with sugar.

“One thing that amazes me every time I go to Malaysia is that people there eat and drink like insulin is free. I wonder whether there are stats on diabetes in Malaysia. It’s bad enough in HK, but man,” said the unnamed tourist.

Ouch. Somewhere in Malaysia, a teh tarik just became a little less sweet out of embarrassment.

The comment might sound like typical internet exaggeration, but statistics suggest there is a serious issue behind the joke.

Our local netizens, instead of defending our national diet, also chipped in to add salt, or sugar, to the wound.

Then there was @trufflejoah stating that insulin was indeed free in Malaysia:

“All those nasi lemak will get you one day. Especially, let’s admit it, Malaysia’s cities are not very walkable,” added @imperial_flag.

But netizen @TheGrouchHK claimed Georgetown, Penang is probably one of the few exceptions.

The story continued with @Thian_Low who thinks the very strong flavours of local food demand a big plate of white rice to go along with them. “I also indulge like mad whenever I return to Malaysia to visit,” he claimed.

“Well, you’ll die one way or another. Enjoy life while you can,’ said an optimistic @TsukuyomiHikari.

Comedy gold comes in the form of @CharlesT777 who explained that insulin has always been free since the human body makes it.

Perhaps netizen @Zaktinnotlzt has unravelled a small piece of the puzzle on why Malaysia is the diabetes capital of South East Asia.

In Malaysia, sugar is not merely an ingredient. It is a love language, a cultural heritage and, apparently, a national security issue.

Perhaps it is time for Malaysians to make peace with an uncomfortable truth: teh tarik kurang manis is not a punishment, and drinking plain water does not mean life has defeated us.—  Focus Malaysia