Kota Kinabalu: BTC Maju Holding Sdn Bhd (BTC) is the first Sabah company to support the Government’s MyMeal initiative and now holds the top spot for 14th menus offered in Malaysia.
MyMeal was introduced by the Ministry of Health (MoH) in 2023 for food premises that can offer a balanced serving of carbohydrates, protein and fibre at a reasonable price.
The recognition towards improving the country’s health sector is free.
Proud of this achievement, BTC Managing Director Datuk Abdul Kadir M.E Sikkandar said they deliberately went with 14 menus so that consumers may enjoy variety.
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“We’ve had our nutritionists, food technologists and dieticians produce a meal worthy of the MoH’s approval.
“For now, only our Queen Elizabeth Hospital outlet has the recognition but we are planning to expand to other canteens and restaurants in the future.
“An average MyMeal will cost RM5 to RM10 which is a pretty reasonable price,” he said at a ceremony at BTC Inanam Bistro, Tuesday.
It was attended by representatives from the Sabah Health Department (SHD) and the Ministry of Community Development and People’s Wellbeing (MCDPW).
SHD Deputy Director of Infectious Diseases Unit Dr Muhammad Jikal said the community’s habits of opting to eat out instead of home cooked meals has increased.
“In 2019, 29.5 per cent of the Malaysian income was spent on food where 11.5 per cent was for eating out.
“Malaysia in the past few decades has seen a trend of deadly diseases. The National Health Morbidity Survey 2019 states that one in two Malaysians is obese.
“Obesity is very much linked to diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease,” he said.
He disclosed that 53.2 per cent of adult Malaysians enjoy sweet drinks with an average of three teaspoons per drink.
“This does not yet include sugar in food. Statistics show one in five Malaysians has diabetes.
“Untreated hypertension causes strokes and heart attacks, among other cardiovascular diseases.
“The hypertension rate in Malaysia is three to every ten adults. Only half of the patients are ever aware they have hypertension,” he said.
He encouraged more eateries in Sabah to offer MyMeals to ensure a healthy diet becomes accessible for all.
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