RM73.81mil in taxes on sugary drinks collected so far this year

RM25mil has been allocated to support the health ministry’s ‘War on Sugar’ programme, among others, says the finance ministry.

The finance ministry said the increase in excise duties on sugary drinks on Jan 1 this year is part of the government’s efforts to reduce the consumption of such drinks among Malaysians. (Rawpixel pic)

PETALING JAYA:

 The government has collected RM73.81 million in excise duties on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) this year as of November.

This brings the total SSB excise revenues to date to RM521.35 million.

In a written parliamentary reply, the finance ministry said all proceeds have been channelled into the Federal Consolidated Fund, in accordance with Article 97 of the Federal Constitution.

“Excise duties imposed on SSBs took effect from July 1, 2019 at a rate of 40 sen per litre, based on the prescribed sugar content threshold.

“The rate was later increased to 50 sen per litre on Jan 1, 2024, and most recently to 90 sen per litre from Jan 1, 2025.

“This increase is part of the government’s efforts to reduce the consumption of high-sugar beverages among Malaysians and to support the health ministry’s ‘War on Sugar’,” said the ministry.

The ministry was responding to Suhaizan Kaiat (PH-Pulai), who asked about the total in SSB taxes collected, and the extent to which the revenue had been channelled towards funding diabetes medication supplies.

It said the government had allocated RM25 million from the taxes collected to support the health ministry’s “War on Sugar” programme, procure SGLT-2 diabetes medicines and set up peritoneal dialysis facilities for end-stage kidney disease sufferers. - FMT