SUGAR MAY BECOME SUBSIDISED ITEM

PUTRAJAYA, Feb 5 (Bernama) -- Sugar may be categorised as a subsidised item
in a bid to tackle the rising price of sugar in the world market, Domestic Trade
and Consumer Affairs Minister Shahrir Samad said Wednesday.

He said the Cabinet was currently studying the proposal pertaining to the
matter.

"We have proposed that sugar be categorised as a subsidised item under the
government's stimulus package," he told reporters here today.

Shahrir had earlier said that the price of sugar might be increased after
the Chinese New Year celebration, following a hike in the commodity's price at
the international market.

In his written statement, Shahrir also said the ministry has yet to decide
whether to increase the retail price of sugar.

The minister, however, assured that there was enough supply of sugar and the
public need not worry or stock up the item.

Shahrir said this was because four sugar manufacturers in the country
were currently producing 122,000 tonnes of sugar monthly, compared with the
average 100,000 tonnes needed for the local market, every month.

"There is an extra 22,000 tonnes of sugar and this does not include the
existing stocks at factories. They are definitely sufficient to cater for
consumers in the country," he added.
-- BERNAMA