Keep prices reasonable, associations advised

KUCHING: Food and beverage associations have been urged to keep their prices reasonable following the removal of sugar subsidy announced in Budget 2014.

PKR Women’s vice-chief Voon Shiak Ni said it was inevitable that the resultant increase in the price of sugar, coming on the heels of the recent fuel price hike, would lead to a rise in the price of food and beverages.

“We are given to understand that there may be an increase of 20 per cent in confectionary items such as buns, cakes and biscuits and by 20 sen to 30 sen for a drink.

“We cannot blame operators of eateries for increasing their prices because of their rising costs.

“However, after hearing feedback from the people, we appeal to all food and beverage associations to decide on a minimal increase to help the public cope with escalating costs of living,” she said in a statement yesterday.

Voon said it would get tougher for families to make ends meet if a simple bun cost about RM1.50.

“A family with three children going to school would need more than 10 for their break time, not to mention the three meals a day,” she said.

She also appealed to the Government to monitor the prices of food and beverages and other goods in a sincere effort to help the people.

Voon added that it was absurd to remove the sugar subsidy as a way to prevent diabetes.

“The relevance of this is not evident. What is evident is that the sugar price hike will drive more families into hardship in coping with the rising cost of living now.”

Under Budget 2014, which was tabled in Parliament last Friday, the sugar subsidy of 34 sen per kilogramme was removed to reduce sugar consumption and the prevalence of diabetes among Malaysians.