Drinks cost the same despite sugar price increase

Drinks to cost the same despite sugar price increase, say restaurant operators

GEORGE TOWN: Muslim restaurants will not be increasing the prices of their drinks although sugar now costs an extra 20 sen per kilo.

Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Owners Association (Presma) president Noorul Hassan Saul Hameed said its 3,700 members would not increase the prices of drinks.

“We can easily absorb the cost,” he said yesterday.

He said restaurant operators had already reduced the amount of sugar in drinks following the Government's call for the public to consume less sugar.

“Our customers are also asking for less sugar in their drinks,” he added.

Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohd Zain Mohd Dom had announced that the price of coarse and fine sugar would be increased by 20 sen to RM2.30 per kilo.

Coffeeshops in Sibu have also pledged to maintain the prices of their drinks for the time being.

However, Sibu Coffeeshop and Restaurant Owners Association chairman Tong Ing Kok said it would have to consider any appeal from members for a price increase.

“The prices of other ingredients for drinks such as condensed milk, evaporated milk and coffee powder have also increased,” he added.

Tong said the per-carton price of condensed milk had increased from RM124.40 to about RM148 and evaporated milk from RM105.80 to about RM127.

He added that the price of coffee powder had increased from RM17 to RM22 per kilo.

“With or without a price increase, I strongly urge our members to maintain standards and not reduce the quality of their drinks, which can result in them losing customers,” he said, advising members to comply with the association's price list on drinks.

Malaysian Chinese Food Consumers Association vice-chairman Chia Yuk Koay said he had not received any feedback from his members on the sugar price increase.

~News courtesy of The Star~