Consumer association calls for boycott of sugar

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SIBU: The Sibu Consumers Association is calling for a boycott of sugar as a sign of protest over the latest price hike. Chairman Simon Tiong suggested the boycott after the government raised the sugar price by 20 sen per kg to RM1.75 in East Malaysia on New Year’s Day.

“There are so many complaints about the price hike and yet the government ignored the people’s protests by going ahead with the price hike. The best solution to stop the price hike is to start reducing our sugar intake,” he said.

Tiong said the rule of economics would apply as less demand would mean the price of sugar would naturally come down.

“However, for that to materialise, it will have to depend on the cooperation of the consumers. Should consumers reduce their sugar intake or even go to the extent of boycotting sugar, there is every possibility that the price of sugar will come down,” he said.

Tiong said former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had once said that consumers were the biggest group who could dictate the rise and fall of commodity prices, but the problem was they did not know how to exercise their rights.

He said the people could also enjoy better health by reducing their sugar intake.

“After all, the vegetables and the food that we take contain carbohydrates which should be enough to maintain our body’s health and supply energy to our body,” he said.

Tiong added that he had not been taking much sugar in the past five years.

“Today, I am still a healthy person and this shows that sugar intake does not really make much difference,” he said.

He warned that too much sugar could prove to be fatal, such as for diabetics or patients suffering from chronic cancer.

Meanwhile Sibu Coffeeshops and Restaurants Owners Association chairman Tong Ing Kok said members were unlikely to raise drink prices following the sugar price hike.

“A 20 sen price hike is not going to leave a serious impact on the coffee shop owners to the extent of increasing the prices of drinks.
“Honestly, I do not see that possibility coming, unless of course the prices of other raw materials also increased. Then perhaps, the coffee shop owners might contemplate increasing the prices of drinks,” he said.

Tong said he had yet to receive feedback from association members requesting to increase prices. “A meeting among members of coffee shops and restaurants owners will be called in three weeks’ time and we would like to hear what our members have to say,” he added.