Malaysia is currently facing a growing diabetes crisis—and the numbers are alarming. According to the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2019, nearly 1 in 5 Malaysian adults live with diabetes, with Type 2 diabetes accounting for the vast majority of cases. What’s more troubling is that many are unaware they even have it.
But how did we get here? The answer lies in a complex blend of lifestyle choices, cultural habits, and systemic gaps in health education and prevention.
Sugar, Sedentary Lifestyles, and Stalled Awareness
Let’s start with the obvious culprit: sugar. Our food culture is rich, comforting, and, unfortunately, packed with hidden sugars. From sweetened condensed milk in our daily teh tarik to kuih-muih at every festive gathering, sugar is ingrained in how we eat and socialize. Add in the convenience of fast food and sugary drinks, and it’s no surprise our national palate leans heavily towards the sweet.
Combine this with increasingly sedentary lifestyles—more screen time, fewer physical activities, and long hours seated at work—and you have a recipe for metabolic disorders like diabetes.
Yet what’s particularly dangerous is that diabetes often goes unnoticed until complications emerge. Many Malaysians skip annual health checks, either due to cost, time, or a simple lack of awareness. As a result, people only seek help when symptoms like fatigue, blurred vision, or frequent urination become disruptive, by which time damage may already be done.
Cultural Barriers to Change
Cultural expectations also make prevention tricky. In many social settings, refusing food—especially during family events or open houses—can be seen as rude. Even when people are diagnosed, some feel pressure to eat “normally” in front of others, or believe myths like “bitter food will cure diabetes.”
This makes it difficult for those trying to manage their diet or adopt healthier habits. The stigma around being unwell, paired with misinformation, slows down progress.
Are Public Health Campaigns Enough?
The government has launched several initiatives, such as Kempen Suku Suku Separuh, which encourages balanced eating with plate segmentation: one-quarter carbs, one-quarter protein, and half vegetables. There are also ongoing campaigns promoting exercise and regular screenings. But real, lasting change requires more than posters and hashtags.
We need accessible, affordable healthcare and nutrition education that resonates with all income levels and ethnic backgrounds. Workplaces and schools must become partners in creating healthy environments. And perhaps most importantly, there needs to be a cultural shift where being mindful of your health isn’t seen as fussy or “not Malaysian enough.”
Looking Ahead
The diabetes crisis in Malaysia isn’t just a health issue—it’s a social one. To reverse the trend, we need to question long-held norms, advocate for better food policies, and make it easier for Malaysians to prioritize their health without guilt.
If we don’t act now, the cost—physically, emotionally, and economically—will only grow.