Tony Pua: Tax on soft drinks one of many options to raise govt revenues
Thursday, 16 Aug 20186:42 PM MYT
by martin carvalho, hemananthani sivanandam, rahimy rahim, and loshana k. shagar
Tony Pua. -filepic
KUALA LUMPUR: The idea to start a "soda tax" on soft drinks to increase government revenues and encourage healthy living is just a personal proposal, said Damansara MP Tony Pua.
"No, it is just one of my options. It was not made on behalf of the (Finance) Ministry.
"I have no power to speak on behalf of the Ministry," he told reporters at the parliament lobby on Thursday (Aug 16).
He was asked to confirm whether the government had any intention to impose a soda tax. Soft drinks, with their high sugar content, have been blamed for the increasing obesity rates in the country.
"Nothing has been decided," he stressed.
The government is expected to see a shortfall of about RM21bil in tax revenues following the removal of the Goods and Services Tax (GST).
In response on Twitter, Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin said he supports the idea to introduce a soda tax.
"But I don't think we should say who can or cannot consume soft drinks.
Preferably everyone should minimise the consumption of soft drinks," said the former Youth and Sports Minister.
Meanwhile, Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali said that he was fond of the idea.
"I do not take Coke. I am totally against it. Take mineral water, that is the best," he said
Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/08/16/tax-on-soft-drinks-one-of-many-options-to-raise-govt-revenues/#uUbZUv1oDiXMx86J.99
