PUTRAJAYA: The ceiling price for coarse granulated sugar and refined granulated sugar will be reduced by 10 sen per kg effective Sept 1.

The new price of coarse granulated sugar is set at RM2.85 per kg, while fine granulated sugar is set at RM2.95 per kg.

Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Datuk Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said this was due to the global reduction in the price of raw sugar, as well as the rise in living costs.

“Due to the falling trend in the price of raw sugar globally, as well as the price of sugar in the domestic market in neighbouring countries, the government has decided to reduce the ceiling price of sugar.

“This is also taking into consideration the rise in living costs in Malaysia, which is caused by the rise in costs of goods.

“Hopefully, this reduction will spark a multiplying effect that would cause a reduction in the price of food and drinks in the market,” said Saifuddin at a press conference after his ministry's monthly assembly here on Monday (August 27).

The minister however stressed that the reduction in sugar prices should not be seen as an encouragement by the government to increase one's sugar intake.

“We must remind the public that excessive sugar consumption will increase health risks such as diabetes, obesity and heart problems.

“In 2016, over 3.6 million Malaysians aged 18 and above were diabetic. This number will continue to increase of we do not take any measures to control sugar consumption,” he said.