The Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy proposed applying the requirement to all licensed eateries, including restaurants, cafes, food courts and fast-food outlets.
Its CEO, Azrul Khalib, cited the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2023, which found that one in five Malaysian adults do not consume enough water each day, while more than half are overweight or obese.
The absence of free drinking water at many eateries encourages customers, particularly frequent diners, to choose sugar-sweetened and other high-calorie beverages instead, he reasoned.
Mandating free water would improve public health, he said, adding that such a measure is feasible and already in place in Spain, the UK and parts of Australia.
Though it would not solve the problem of non-communicable diseases on its own, it would send a clear public health message that water should be the default beverage rather than an optional extra, he said.
“Customers should not have to pay extra just to choose the healthiest drink. It is practical, affordable and fair. Let’s make the healthy choice the easy choice,” he said in his proposal, as quoted by Named.
Practicality, hygiene concerns raised
The proposal has faced opposition from the Penang Hawkers Association, which argues that the policy would hurt profitability and place additional pressure on businesses.
Its president, Ooi Thean Huat, said beverages carry a profit margin of about 40% for many eateries, making them critical to covering operating costs.
“Making free plain water mandatory will inevitably affect businesses,” he said, as quoted by PenangTodayadding that the decision should be left to individual eateries as each operates under a different cost structure and business model.
A person holds a glass of water. Photo by Pexels |
Dr. Victor Hoe, a professor of Occupational and Public Health at the Universiti Malaya, said tap water in Malaysia is generally safe when it leaves water treatment facilities but its quality may decline due to plumbing systems and storage tanks.
“As a result, many food premises rely on filtration or additional treatment systems before serving drinking water, which carries extra costs for purchasing equipment, maintenance and water charges,” he was quoted as saying by The Star.
Providing complimentary drinking water is feasible as some restaurants are already doing so, he said.
But making the practice mandatory should follow a transparent consultation process involving industry stakeholders and relevant experts, he added.
Holistic health expert Dr. M. Rajen said the proposal is a good idea on principle but said issues surrounding hygiene standards and enforcement would need to be addressed.
Offering free drinking water alone would also do little to curb sugar consumption if consumers continue opting for sugary foods and beverages, he added.
Consumers’ opinions
Many consumers who spoke with The Sun have welcomed the proposal, though some voiced concerns about its impact on smaller businesses and public health.
Retiree Raymond Koay, 68, said restaurants are generally able to absorb the cost of providing free drinking water, but coffee shops depend far more on beverage sales.
He also said tackling obesity and excessive sugar consumption ultimately depends on individuals making healthier choices.
Nurul Nabilah Azhan, a 25-year-old technician from Kedah, called the proposal “a great idea.”
“Many restaurants are already doing this, so it would be easy for more places to adopt it,” she told the daily newspaper. “Not everyone has the privilege of choosing healthier options, so it would be good if restaurants encouraged healthier choices by making them more accessible and appealing.”
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