Should Govt continue to subsidise sugar price?

Malaysians can adopt the habit of consuming less sugar if there is a strong will on their part, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.

Citing himself as an example, Najib said he no longer uses any sugar in his teh tarik.

“To me, it is illogical for the Government to fork out almost RM1bil yearly in subsidy for a commodity which is detrimental to public health,” he told reporters after presenting incentives to pupils in the Pekan constituency who excelled in the UPSR examinations last year.

Najib, who is also Pekan MP, said Malaysia had one of the highest number of diabetes cases in the world due to high intake of sugar.

He said the decision to raise the prices of sugar by 20 sen per kg was implemented for the good of the people.

Najib said the people should also view the sugar price increase positively, that is, by changing their dietary habit for their own good health.

LINUNDUS SAYS ...

I certainly agree with the Prime Minister to discontinue the Government subsidy on sugar price which amounts to a staggering RM1bil a year. By continuing the subsidy, it is tantamount to encouraging the rakyat to get into a habit of excessive sugar intake that is detrimental to one's health if not controlled.

The Prime Minister said that to him, "it is illogical for the Government to fork out almost RM1bil yearly in subsidy for a commodity which is detrimental to public health.”

I applaud the PM's concern about the health of his Rakyat, and I personally support his decision to discontinue the subsidy so that, by discontinuing the subsidy, the Government's noble intention to reduce the intake of sugar by the public is achieved.

Wait a minute. The Government gains from the subsidy (almost RM1billion per annum) while the Rakyat has to bear the cost of the price increase. Is it fair? Why cant the Government transfer a portion of the subsidy to subsidise the cost of rice which is more important to public health and for the good of the people? I believe the Rakyat is more appreciative to the Government if the cost of rice is being lowered further.