KUALA LUMPUR: The recent sugar price hike imposed by the Government was minimal, says the Domestic Trade, Consumerism and Cooperatives Minister, adding that the welfare of the people was still paramount.

Sugar is still cheaper in Malaysia than it is in Thailand, Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin (pic) said at the Parliament lobby on Tuesday.

“We import 100% of our raw sugar, and 50% of it is from Thailand.

“There, the retail price for it is RM3.20 per kilogram,” he said, adding that the 3.8% sugar hike imposed in Malaysia is minimal.

The Government recently announced that the price of coarse granulated white sugar would be capped at RM2.95 per kg, from RM2.84 per kg, effective March 1.

Hamzah said Malaysians should realise how much effort the Government puts into looking after the welfare of the people.

“Think about it; it means the Government really thinks about everything and takes all things into consideration.

“We calculate everything down to five decimal points.

“So if all traders behave ethically, there won’t be any problem with this hike,” he said, adding that anyone found breaching the Anti Profiteering Act would face the relevant punishment.-thestar