Scrapping of sugar subsidy good for health — Dimin
KUCHING: The decision to abolish sugar subsidy effective today is a good move to discourage over consumption of the commodity.
This is the stand of Kuching Division Bidayuh community leader, Temenggong Austin Dimin, when responding to Prime Minister Datuk Seri NajibTunRazak’s announcement when tabling 2014 Budget in parliament yesterday.
“To me this is a good move. At least the government is doing its part to encourage people from taking too much sugar which can be harmful to our health.
“After all, without the subsidy the price will only cost us RM0.34 more and I don’t think it is a heavy burden except for the very poor people,” he said.
Sugar used to cost RM2.50 per kg and with the subsidy being scrapped it now costs RM2.84 per kg. Having said that, Dimin, however agreed that with the subsidy abolition, coffeeshops would certainly raise the price of drinks.
Najib said the rationale for the abolishment of sugar subsidy was because of the high diabetic rate among Malaysians under the age of 30.
“Statistics indicate that 2.6 million Malaysians under the age of 30 are diabetics. If left untreated, patients will face various complications such as heart disease, kidney failure, blindness and amputation,” he said.
Source: Borneo Post Online
Published: 26 Oct 2013
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