Cut in sugar subsidy, eateries taking on 'wait and see approach'

However, this could last only for a few days more as many of them intend to increase the price within this week.

“So far we have not received instruction from our bosses to increase the price, but we may do so around this week,” said a manager of an eatery who only wants to be known as Mogesh.

Another shop operator, Mishah Mari, said she did not feel comfortable increasing prices as it would make her customers ‘unhappy’.

“I am afraid that some customers would get angry with the price increase if we implement it. But what can we do, the price of sugar has increased,” he said.

Most of the operators said if there is a price increase, it would only be around 10 cents.

Meanwhile, a beverage marketing manager, Tee Yeo Loon, said beverages manufactured in the factories would not be affected by the cut in sugar subsidy.

"The subsidy for sugar has been cut by the government for manufacturers and distributors of beverages. Distributors are not really affected as all this while, they've been buying sugar based on the retail price and not subsidised price.

"The increase in the product prices would happen if there is an increase in imported raw materials, packaging or petrol prices and not because of sugar," Tee added.

At the same time, Selangor and Wilayah Consumer Association President Mohd Yusof said that the increase in sugar price would have an affect on other things as well.

"The increase in sugar price would not affect things greatly but what we are worried about is that this will cause for the prices of goods to gradually increase.

"It will also cause products using this basic item to increase and therefore would affect the people's spending," he said.

Meanwhile, netizens have also expressed their concerns following the increase of the sugar price on Astro AWANI's Facebook.

"Be prepared by the price increase," said Najib Nordin.

Ami Azmi said that that price of drinks would also increase after this. "Sugar price increase, prices of drinks would also increase," he wrote.

Yang Farina Abdul Aziz was more positive, saying :"Reduce the consumption of sugar and live a healthy lifestyle."

On Friday during his Budget 2014 speech, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced the government's move to end the sugar subsidy, which took effect on Saturday.