Saifuddin Nasution (standing, eight right) with his deputy Chong Chien Jen (standing, seventh right) together with KPDNHEP staffs pose for a photograph during the ministry monthly August assembly. Also present were KPDNHEP chief secterary Datuk Seri Jamil Salleh (standing, ninth right). — Bernama photo
PUTRAJAYA: The price of sugar will be lower by 10 sen per kg effective Sept 1 in line with the fall in sugar prices in the world market, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said yesterday.
The new retail price of coarse sugar will be RM2.85 per kg and that of fine sugar, RM2.95 per kg, he said at a press conference after the monthly gathering of the ministry here. He said similar measures were being adopted in neighbouring countries like Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand and added that the price of sugar in Malaysia was among the lowest in the region.
“The government is also concerned about the cost of living which, among others, is contributed by a rise in the prices of essential goods,” he said.
Saifuddin Nasution said it was hoped that the drop in the price of sugar would have a multiplier effect on the prices of food and drinks in the market.
Saifuddin Nasution said the price of sugar was revised the last time on March 1, 2017, rising 11 sen to RM2.95 per kg. The drop in the price of sugar did not mean that the government supported the consumption of more sugar, he said, adding that it was hoped that the people would continue to adopt a healthy lifestyle.
In 2016, he said 3.6 million people or 17.5 per cent of the population aged 18 and above were diabetic and the number could continue to rise unless preventive measures were adopted.
“Intake of sugar at a reasonable rate can not only save a person from illness, but the routine can also save on daily expenses,” he said.
Saifuddin Nasution also announced the government’s decision to restructure several ministries, saying four agencies under his ministry – namely the Cooperatives Commission of Malaysia, Cooperative College of Malaysia, Bank Rakyat and Perbadanan Nasional Berhad – would be placed under the Entrepreneur Development Ministry.
“Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad conveyed the decision to me in writing … this move is effective from the date of the letter, which was several days ago,” he said.
Saifuddin Nasution said his ministry would retain three agencies, namely the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM), Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO) and the Competition Commission of Malaysia (MyCC). — Bernama