Healthcare Experts Warn That Ultra Sweet Buka Puasa Thirst Quenchers Are Diabetes Threat

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“SUGAR and spice and everything nice” goes the nursery rhyme.
Alas, it makes no mention of diabetes and its dire consequences.
A suggestion from social media influencer and food entrepreneur Khairulaming (@khairulaming) on X on beverages and desserts to break fast was met with less than positive feedback from several healthcare professionals.
Consider:
Malaysia has highest incidence of diabetes in SE Asia. 95% is Type 2 diabetes melitus (T2DM) 5% is Type 1.
20% or 1 in 5 are now w T2DM, from 11.2% in 2011.
This year, total 7m people w. diabetes. Treatment will almost entirely be subsidised by tax funds.
Take care. https://t.co/ogMN0le7xD
— Azrul Mohd Khalib (@azrulmohdkhalib) March 2, 2025

First up was Azrul Mohd Khalib (@azrulmohdkhalid), the CEO of the Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy, who pointed out the damning statistics pertaining to diabetes in Malaysia.
As it is, the country occupies top spot for diabetes in Southeast Asia with 95% of the cases involving Type I diabetes.
It was also pointed out that the treatment of these diabetics will mainly come out of taxpayers’ pockets.
One netizen provided additional info which showed Malaysia ranked fifth globally for ratio of diabetes patients to population.

Another commenter stated that it was imperative that further studies break the numbers down by race to pinpoint which part of the diet is causing the most harm.

One commented that the problem of the disease and the associated links to obesity are not taken seriously enough by the Malaysian public.

One netizen highlighted that public-backed healthcare was not workable in the long run, contributing to even greater problems. Claiming that the RM1 healthcare system was doomed to collapse, he suggested better health education as an alternative.

Another, however, came up with a novel solution – a sugar tax to help subsidise medical treatment!

However, one commenter admonished Azrul for being a killjoy.

Such sentiments were also seen accompanying a similar post by Dr Rafidah Abdullah (@rafidah72) who was also responding to Khairulaming’s toothache-inducing recipes.
She noted that drinking plain water to break fast would also quench one’s thirst minus the threat of the deadly disease.

However, quite a number of netizens took exception to her advice with the accusation of kill joy arising here as well.

One suggested that there were more polite ways to share a message, more so during the holy month of Ramadan. This is given that Khairulaming was sharing his beverage recipes out of good intention.

While another questioned why Khairulaming was being singled out when plenty of others promote large sugar intakes.

With a few stating that Dr Rafidah’s health warning could have been better worded.

Given the negativity surrounding such public service announcements, it is perhaps no great surprise that threat of diabetes looms large over Malaysian society.
The doctor’s warning – though couched in sarcasm – should be heeded. The language is probably reflective of her frustration that her advice is falling on deaf ears and medical advice is being undermined by popular influencers such as Kharulaming.
Malaysians need to wake up and smell the coffee – diabetes kills and that is no laughing matter.
In the meantime, FocusM wishes all those who are fasting – Selamat Berbuka Puasa and in the spirit of Ramadan, to consume in moderation. – Focus Malaysia

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