KUCHING: Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has called for healthier eating habits and greater emphasis on nutrition in local cuisine.
Speaking after officiating the 3rd Annual Meeting of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) – Creative Cities of Gastronomy on Tuesday (Aug 4), he said good food should be both delicious and beneficial to health.
He also said Sarawak needs more professional dietitians to promote balanced diets while preserving the state’s rich culinary heritage.
“When you prepare food, you have to take into account its nutritional value. We need more dietitians in order to achieve healthy food, healthy families and a healthy country. At the same time, we must enjoy the food that we eat,” he said.
Abang Johari’s remarks came in the wake of health screenings conducted under the Sarawak Food Science Programme during the Sarawakku Sayang outreach initiative.
He said screenings found that many residents in Kapit had high cholesterol levels, while many people screened in Sibu were found to be obese.
“Through the programme, at least we are able to provide information to the public regarding their health, apart from the many other services provided,” he said.
On whether healthy diets could coexist with Sarawak’s popular local cuisine, Abang Johari said understanding the nutritional properties of food was equally important as preserving its flavour.
He said chefs and food experts should work towards ensuring dishes remain nutritionally balanced without compromising their taste.
“I am not a chef, but I think we should understand the nutritional properties of the food that we eat. Therefore, dieting is important,” he said.
Abang Johari also highlighted portion control, saying oversized servings often contribute to unnecessary food wastage.
He reminded the public to maintain a healthy Body Mass Index (BMI), noting that both being underweight and overweight posed health risks.
“Sometimes we serve too much food. Some people finish everything, while others don’t, and perhaps up to 50 per cent of the food ends up being thrown away,” he said.
“If we want to live long, we must be healthy. If we live long but are sick, we cannot enjoy that long life,” he said.
The 76-year-old Premier said looking after one’s health was the key to enjoying life.
“I still enjoy good health because I take care of myself. If I can do it, I want others to be able to do the same.
“The most important thing is that we look after our health,” he added.
