Maria Tunku Sabri brushes off jibes after bariatric surgery: 'Some say I look like Roslan Shah'

KUALA LUMPUR – Television host Maria Tunku Sabri says she has been called all sorts of names, including Roslan Shah, after losing weight following bariatric surgery she underwent last year.

Maria, 55, said she was aware that she was constantly the target of criticism and mockery, but maintained her stance of not entertaining any provocation.

"I don't care what people want to say because they are not in my position. They need to know that because of the bariatric surgery, I no longer take the diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol medication I had been on for the past 19 years.

"So I don't care what people say. Some say I am too thin, that I look like a Chinese auntie, and they call me Roslan Shah.

"Most importantly, my husband and children know I did the bariatric surgery for my health, to live a healthy life — a long life, and to see my children get married," she said at the press conference for Kilauan Emas Selebriti 2026 here yesterday. (Quotes translated from Malay.)

She also denied that the surgery was done for cosmetic reasons.

"I never did the bariatric surgery just to look beautiful because I never cared about that.

"The most important thing is to be healthy so that I can care for my husband, my children and my grandchildren," she said.

Maria added that she has no dietary restrictions after the procedure.

"Who says you can't eat as usual after bariatric surgery? You can eat all kinds of food, just in small portions. There are no restrictions at all.

"The tip is to eat in moderation. In a day, I usually eat six times, but each serving is proportioned," she explained.

Maria had earlier acknowledged that she underwent bariatric surgery to lose weight on her doctor's advice.