World Diabetes Day 2025: Urgent Call to Curb Malaysia’s Rising Diabetes Crisis

Lai Cheng November 13, 2025 0 Comments

Mankind continues to suffer from the ever-growing diabetes epidemic and the rapid rise of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Ibn Sina (980–1037 CE) commonly known as Avicenna, in his medical encyclopedia “Al-Qanun Fi Al-Tibb” (Arabic for The Canon of Medicine) had a description of diabetes’ symptoms and came out with the term Ziabetes” or “Dianetes” to reflect the polyuric nature of diabetes.

Diabetes is one of the non-communicable diseases (NCDs) that is increasingly worrying in Malaysia.  The International Diabetes Federation reported 21.1% prevalence of diabetes in adults in Malaysia, with a total 4,753,900 cases of diabetes in adults in 2024. The prevalence of diabetes in Malaysia is the highest in Southeast Asia. This alarming increase highlights the urgent need for more effective public health interventions.

World Diabetes Day, which falls on 14 November, honours Frederick Banting, one of the discoverers of insulin. The day, symbolised by a blue circle representing global unity, aims to raise awareness of the diabetes epidemic and inspire action worldwide.

The theme for World Diabetes Day 2025 is “Diabetes and well-being”. The campaign focus for this year’s diabetes day is “Diabetes and the work place”. Globally, 7 in 10 adults (412 million people) living with diabetes are of working age.  Despite growing awareness of employee well-being, many people with diabetes still struggle to balance their health with work expectations, leading them to hide or not be open about their condition.

Diabetes in Malaysia is expected to continue to rise due to the typical Malaysian diet and lifestyle – a diet high in saturated fats and refined carbohydrates, both of which have detrimental effects on metabolism. In fact, the disease is so widespread that one in every five Malaysians has been diagnosed with it, and children as young as five or six years old have been diagnosed with Type II diabetes.

As obesity is a major contributing factor to diabetes, tackling obesity is crucial to curbing the alarming increase in diabetes cases among Malaysians. Malaysia has one of the highest rates of overweight and obesity in Southeast Asia, with the World Health Organization (WHO) reporting 22.4 per cent in 2022.

Diabetes not only affects quality of life and increases healthcare costs, but also imposes a heavy economic burden on individuals, families, and communities, thereby reducing national productivity.  Globally, according to the International Diabetes Federation, diabetes caused at least USD1 trillion dollars in health expenditure – a 338% increase over the last 17 years.  Diabetes does not only take a toll on the country’s resources but also severely affects the limbs (amputation), eyesight (blindness), kidneys (failure), heart (failure), and nerves (damage) of its sufferers.

As 14 November marks World Diabetes Day, the Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) calls on the public to practise a healthy lifestyle to prevent Type II diabetes and its complications. Consumers are encouraged to:

  • Achieve and maintain a healthy body weight (BMI 18–23 kg/m²);
  • Be physically active – at least 30 minutes of regular, moderate-intensity activity daily (more activity is required for weight control);
  • Eat a healthy diet, avoiding sugar and saturated fats;
  • Avoid tobacco use – smoking increases the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease;
  • Reduce sugar consumption by cutting down on processed foods and drinks, especially soft drinks, often referred to as “liquid candy” in the West.

Given the alarming rate of diabetes among Malaysians, the authorities must act decisively to manage the disease or risk a heavy financial burden, loss of productivity, and increased disability and premature mortality. CAP urges the authorities to:

  • Impose a higher tax on restaurants serving fast food;
  • Ban the use of High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS), a cheap and unhealthy substitute for refined sugar, in food products;
  • Require manufacturers to reduce or eliminate added sugars in their products;
  • Amend labelling laws so that manufacturers clearly indicate the amount of sugar in their products, for example, by showing the number of teaspoonfuls per serving;
  • Prohibit advertisements of high-sugar and junk foods and drinks on all media;
  • Ban the sale of junk food in school canteens and enforce restriction on food hawking within a fixed perimeter around schools to prevent children from buying unhealthy food;
  • Remove vending machines selling junk food and sugary drinks from hospitals, airports, and schools, and instead provide drinking water dispensers in these places;
  • Launch nationwide campaigns through the mass media to educate the public about the dangers of diabetes;
  • Promote physical activity through public campaigns to combat obesity;
  • Cease issuing 24-hour operating licences to eating outlets.

As part of the World Diabetes Day focus on diabetes and well-being, the International Diabetes Federation is calling for more inclusive and supportive workplaces where people with diabetes feel supported, not stigmatised. It is time to eliminate misconceptions, educate employers, and foster environments where employees with diabetes can manage their condition without fear. By strengthening awareness and understanding, we can ensure workplaces where people living with diabetes feel safe, valued, and empowered to thrive –without compromising their health or ambitions.

A concerted effort from the government, community, and individuals is vital to address Malaysia’s diabetes crisis through health education, the promotion of healthy lifestyles, and improved access to effective treatment.

 

 

Mohideen Abdul Kader
President
Consumers’ Association of Penang

Press Statement, 13 November 2025