SHAH ALAM - The Malaysian Federation of Hawkers and Petty Traders Association has proposed reducing the price of less sweet drinks by more than 10 sen to encourage people to support the "Less Sugar, Lower Price" campaign that will be launched soon.
Its president Datuk Seri Rosli Sulaiman said the association supported the approach taken by the Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Operators Association (Presma), considering that it could have a positive impact on the diet of the people in the country.
He said the recommendation to reduce prices should also be implemented for all types of drinks besides tea and coffee.
"If we want to do this campaign, it should be impactful for the people. If we reduce it by 10 sen, people won't care.
"Lower the price by, for example, 20 sen or 30 sen, only then will we see some improvement" he told Sinar.
On Saturday, Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Deputy Minister Fuziah Salleh said the "Less Sugar, Lower Price" campaign will be introduced to raise awareness among Malaysians about the importance of healthy eating habits through the reduction of sugar intake in daily diets.
Fuziah said the ministry had conducted engagement sessions with restaurant associations and industry representatives to design the campaign.
Among those involved in these engagement sessions were the Malaysian Indian Restaurant Operators Association (Primas), the Malaysia Singapore Coffee Shop Proprietors' General Association (MSCSPGA) and Presma.
On Monday, Presma vice-president Abdul Mukthahir M Ibrahim said 3,500 restaurant chains under Presma nationwide have agreed to reduce prices by 10 sen for their teh O and kopi O without sugar in line with the campaign.
He said the price offered would be implemented simultaneously when the campaign was expected to start in two weeks.
Commenting further, Rosli said the initiative to reduce the price of sugar-free drinks should be welcomed by all parties considering that many people practiced unhealthy eating habits without thinking about the impact on their health.
"If possible, I also do not want the public to consume sugar (in their diet) because sugar is the cause of disease.
"I urge all restaurant and food stall operators not to take advantage of this situation because when we launch the "Less Sugar, Lower Price" campaign, they only reduced the price by 10 sen.
"It should be reduced even more," he added.