Kuala lumpur: The government has reported the collection of RM73.81 million in excise duty on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) from January to November 2025, contributing to a cumulative SSB excise revenue of RM521.35 million to date.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Ministry of Finance (MoF) stated that all proceeds from the excise duty have been channelled into the Federal Consolidated Fund, adhering to Article 97 of the Federal Constitution. The excise duty, initially imposed on July 1, 2019, at a rate of 40 sen per litre, experienced increments to 50 sen per litre on January 1, 2024, and further to 90 sen per litre starting January 1, 2025. This escalation aligns with the government’s initiative to curb the consumption of high-sugar beverages as part of the Ministry of Health’s ‘War on Sugar’ campaign.

The MoF’s response came in answer to a query from Suhaizan Kaiat (PH-Pulai) concerning the total SSB tax collected and how the revenue was being utilised for diabetes medication supply and the sustainability of the peritoneal dialysis programme. The ministry confirmed that RM25 million from the SSB excise collections has been allocated to the Health Ministry. This allocation supports the War on Sugar advocacy programme, the procurement of SGLT2 medicines, and the provision of peritoneal dialysis facilities for end-stage kidney disease, aligning with the government’s commitments under Budget 2025.