PRIME Minister Mahathir Mohamad had agreed to allocate a portion of the sugar tax revenue to the Youth and Sports Ministry, said Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman. 

The youth and sports minister said it was apt that his ministry should benefit from the proceeds of the tax that was introduced to keep Malaysians healthy.

“The purpose of the sugar tax is to ensure Malaysians remain fit and healthy and the sports ministry should benefit (from the tax collection),” said Syed Saddiq. 

Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng announced the plan to introduce the tax last November during the tabling of Budget 2019. It was supposed to take effect in April but was postoned to July to give manufacturers and the Customs Department time to prepare. 

 A tax of 40 sen is imposed on each litre of beverage with more than 5ml of sugar or sugar-based sweeteners per 100ml.

Budget 2020 will be tabled tomorrow. – October 10, 2019.