KUALA LUMPUR, Mar 14 – The increase by 11 sen of coarse granulated white sugar effective March 1 is due to the price increase of imported raw sugar. Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Hamzah Zainudin said the price of imported raw sugar in 2013 was only US$0.15 per 0.45kg (at the time, the exchange rate was US$1=RM3.20), compared to US$0.21, currently.
“This means that the import price has increased by almost 100%,” he told the Dewan Rakyat during the Ministers’ Question Time, today. He was responding to Datuk Mohd Fasiah Mohd Fakeh (BN-Sabak Bernam) who wanted to know the factors for the 11 sen increase to RM2.95 per kg from RM2.84.
Hamzah said Malaysians consumed 25kg of sugar a year per person as against the nine kilogramme a year advised by the World Health Organisation (WHO). “If consumers can reduce their intake of sugar in the foods they take, the 11 sen or 3.8% price increase will not have a big impact,” he said. — Bernama
