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.
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…
— The Grouch (@TheGrouchHK) October 22, 2026
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.—Oct 23, 2026
Main image: Medical Mythbusters Malaysia (Facebook)
