Dzulkefly said his ministry has submitted several proposals on the matter and is awaiting Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s tabling of the budget.

He pointed out that both health conditions were key contributors to the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases in the country.

“The National Health and Morbidity Survey 2023 found that 3.55 million Malaysians, or 15.6% of adults aged 18 and above, suffer from diabetes, while 4.58 million, or 21.8%, are obese,” he said after launching a programme as part of an integrated treatment for diabetic patients.

Dzulkefly said obesity, diabetes, heart disease, stroke and cancer accounted for more than 70% of premature deaths in Malaysia, costing the nation over RM64 billion annually in treatment, care, lost productivity and early death.