KUCHING: Consumers in Malaysia should not think only of protecting their rights but also place priority on taking care of their own personal health, and this includes avoiding over-consumption of sugar.

THANKYOU: Firdaus (left) handing over a token of appreciation to one of the speakers as (from second left) Mun and Yeo look on.

According to Malaysian Consumers Rights Association (PPPM) president Dato Mohd Firdaus Abdullah, studies have shown that five million Malaysians could suffer from diabetes and other diseases related to high sugar intake.

As such, he advised consumers in the country to update their knowledge on health related issues and avoid food and any other products that could be detrimental to their health.

“It is estimated that five million Malaysians will suffer from sugar-related diseases and ailments within the next five years. If this is so, then a lot of money will be spent by the government towards treating the diseases.

“Because of this, we should be more responsible towards our own health. The money saved could be channelled for other useful purposes by the government such as building better infrastructure especially for Sabah and Sarawak,” he said.

Firdaus stated this when launching the Seminar on Challenges Faced by Consumers in the Market at MBKS Auditorium here yesterday.

Speakers from PPPM, Health Department, Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry and International Trade Ministry were invited to give talks.

They covered topics such as Green Consumer, Government Subsidised Goods, Challenges Posed by Asian Free Trade Agreement (AFTA) and Healthy Eating.

Firdaus said similar seminars were also held in Kota Kinabalu, Miri and Sibu.

“Our aim is to make consumers aware of their rights and also able to distinguish good or bad products and services,” he said.

Also present at the function were PPPM Sarawak branch chairman Dato’ Yeo Kok Vui and Kuching police chief ACP Mun Kock Keong.

The event was attended by community leaders and residents from Kampung Stutong, Kampung Sungai Tapang, Kampung Lubok Buan, Kampung Stutong Baru Melayu and Kampung Stampin Baru, as well as representatives from relevant government agencies.