Sugar or Gula

Cane sugar was first used by man in Polynesia from where it spread to India. In 510 BC the Emperor Darius of what was then Persia invaded India where he found "the reed which gives honey without bees". The secret of cane sugar, as with many other of man's discoveries, was kept a closely guarded secret whilst the finished product was exported for a rich profit.

Although Malaysians are comfortable with sweetened food and beverage, they lauded Prime Minister Datuk Sri Najib Tun Razak's decision to remove the RM0.34 sugar subsidy for the well-being of the rakyat.

Immediately after the Budget announcement, Malaysians foremost concern is on the Goods Services Tax and removal of sugar subsidy. Many shops are considering to increase a glass of of drink by at least 10 sen.

As sugar become costly, sugar cravings could be checked otherwise the 2.6 millions diabetic Malaysians are hastening heart diseases. One kilogramme of sugar provides about 170 teaspoons for making of some 85 teacups enough for a man who enjoy one hot steamy coffee in the morning and another in the afternoon. If a cup of coffee is sold at RM1.10, the coffee lover would need to spend RM93.50 a month compared to RM85.00 before the Budget 2014. What is an additional RM8.50 when sugar satisfy his craving ? However, if sugar subsidy was to cover a fifty percent amount, the anti-sugar person would not even buy the cheap RM1.25 per kilogramme sugar.

Many drink makers have been promoting low-calorie soft-drinks which would not contribute to overweight or obese. It has been a long time since the mamak stall first shouted " kurang manis ... "

The removal of sugar subsidy is therefore a good move.