Visits to eateries around the Klang Valley revealed that shops and stall operators have not increased the price of drinks following the cut in sugar subsidy, but rather, they are taking the ‘wait and see’ approach.
However, this could last only for a few days more as many of them intend to increase the price within this week.
“So far we have not received instruction from our bosses to increase the price, but we may do so around this week,” said a manager of an eatery who only wants to be known as Mogesh.
Another shop operator, Mishah Mari, said she did not feel comfortable increasing prices as it would make her customers ‘unhappy’.
“I am afraid that some customers would get angry with the price increase if we implement it. But what can we do, the price of sugar has increased,” he said.
Most of the operators said if there is a price increase, it would only be around 10 cents.
Meanwhile, a beverage marketing manager, Tee Yeo Loon, said beverages manufactured in the factories would not be affected by the cut in sugar subsidy.
"The subsidy for sugar has been cut by the government for manufacturers and distributors of beverages. Distributors are not really affected as all this while, they've been buying sugar based on the retail price and not subsidised price.
"The increase in the product prices would happen if there is an increase in imported raw materials, packaging or petrol prices and not because of sugar," Tee added.
At the same time, Selangor and Wilayah Consumer Association President Mohd Yusof said that the increase in sugar price would have an affect on other things as well.
"The increase in sugar price would not affect things greatly but what we are worried about is that this will cause for the prices of goods to gradually increase.
"It will also cause products using this basic item to increase and therefore would affect the people's spending," he said.
Meanwhile, netizens have also expressed their concerns following the increase of the sugar price on Astro AWANI's Facebook.
"Be prepared by the price increase," said Najib Nordin.
Ami Azmi said that that price of drinks would also increase after this. "Sugar price increase, prices of drinks would also increase," he wrote.
Yang Farina Abdul Aziz was more positive, saying :"Reduce the consumption of sugar and live a healthy lifestyle."
On Friday during his Budget 2014 speech, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced the government's move to end the sugar subsidy, which took effect on Saturday.
Consumers now have to pay RM2.84 per kilogram for sugar, compared to the previous price of RM2.50.
Azyyati Ahmad
Sun Oct 27 2013
MAA semak semula unjuran jualan kenderaan 2024 kepada 765,000 unit
Persatuan Automotif Malaysia (MAA) telah menyemak semula unjuran jualan kenderaan bermotor baharu bagi 2024 kepada 765,000 unit daripada anggaran sebelumnya sebanyak 740,000 unit.
RUU 355: Pindaan perlu untuk praktikaliti, keadilan
Apa sahaja pindaan terhadap akta itu perlu berjalan selari dengan persediaan mereka yang bertanggungjawab melaksanakannya.
Rasionalisasi RON95 dijangka beri impak lebih besar kepada PKS - SAMENTA
SAMENTA menjangkakan rasionalisasi RON95 akan memberi impak yang lebih besar kepada perusahaan kecil dan sederhana (PKS) berbanding pelarasan subsidi diesel.
Malaysia sasar pengeluaran 40 peratus sektor akuakultur menjelang 2030
Malaysia menyasarkan pengeluaran 40 peratus hasil sektor akuakultur menjelang 2030 dalam usaha membantu mengimbangi keperluan perikanan negara.
10 Berita Pilihan - (16 Julai 2024
Antara pelbagai berita dalam dan luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
PAC beri tempoh tiga bulan kepada HRD Corp
Jawatankuasa Kira-kira Wang Negara (PAC) memberi tempoh tiga bulan kepada Perbadanan Pembangunan Sumber Manusia (HRD Corp) untuk mengemukakan laporan tindakan susulan terhadap syor jawatankuasa itu.
Kylian Mbappe tandatangan kontrak dengan Real Madrid
Bintang bola sepak Perancis Kylian Mbappe menandatangani kontrak selama lima tahun dengan kelab Sepanyol Real Madrid pada Selasa.
Pelepasan ketujuh air sisa nuklear Fukushima ke laut selesai
Jepun telah menyelesaikan pusingan ketujuh pelepasan air sisa radioaktif yang dirawat dari loji kuasa nuklear Fukushima Daiichi ke Lautan Pasifik pada Selasa.
Empat termasuk kapten maut dalam pertempuran
Empat anggota tentera India termasuk kapten meninggal dunia akibat kecederaan selepas pertempuuran pada malam isnin di Hutan Desa.
Pakistan sahkan 4 warganya terbunuh di Oman
Pakistan berkata pada Selasa empat warganya terbunuh dalam insiden tembakan pada malam Isnin berhampiran ibu negara Oman, Muscat.