In an effort to encourage healthier lifestyles, Malaysian eateries will lower the price of unsweetened drinks by 10 sen. This initiative is part of the government's "Kurang Gula, Kurang Harga" (Less Sugar, Lower Price) campaign.
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Abdul Mukthahir M Ibrahim, vice-president of the Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Owners Association (PRESMA), announced that around 3,500 restaurant chains will participate in this campaign. The price reduction will apply to both hot and iced unsweetened tea and coffee.
Abdul Mukthahir explained that these drinks were chosen due to simpler cost adjustments compared to other beverages. "For milk-based drinks, reducing sweetness means using more expensive evaporated milk instead of condensed milk," he said. "Similarly, adjusting Milo O would require adding more Milo, making it impractical for a price drop."
PRESMA has also proposed a "Say No to Sugar" campaign to further cut sugar consumption, but the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) has not yet made a final decision.
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Earlier, KPDN Deputy Minister Fuziah Salleh introduced the campaign to encourage lower sugar intake, noting it is being developed with restaurant associations and industry experts. She said the initiative aims to promote healthier living and reduce the financial burden of medical treatments related to excessive sugar consumption.
The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (FOMCA) has called for the campaign to be a national priority.
FOMCA President Datuk Dr. N Marimuthu emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach involving multiple ministries to effectively tackle sugar consumption. "We’ve been trying to reduce sugar for 60 years but haven’t succeeded. This campaign needs to be integrated across all ministries," he said.
The hope is that these efforts will lead to healthier eating habits and improved public health in Malaysia.
