Sugar import no longer a monopoly

KUCHING: The Pakatan Harapan government has finally broken the monopoly of sugar import in the country.

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Deputy Minister Chong Chieng Jen said food and beverage manufacturers could now apply for a sugar import permit.

He said one such manufacturer in Sarawak had successfully obtained a permit to import sugar, adding it was part of the new federal government’s efforts to break the monopoly in several sectors.

“The new federal government feels that monopoly is bad for the country’s economy. As such, the ministry is looking seriously at this business, which is being monopolised by groups or individuals,” he said.

Chong said the open policy would benefit manufacturers, especially in Sabah and Sarawak, as they could now import refined sugar at a cheaper price.

Under the previous policy, only two companies in the peninsula were given the permit to import raw sugar and refine it in the country.

Chong noted that previously, manufacturers had to buy refined sugar at RM2.80 per kg from companies in the peninsula but with the import permit, they could buy sugar from overseas for less than RM2 per kg.

“This is part of the PH government’s efforts to control the rising cost of living, as one of the causes is the monopoly policy by the previous government,” he said. — Bernama