Dzulkefly said the system was part of the health ministry’s plans to reduce cases of non-communicable diseases.

“This is one of up to five programmes we have planned for our ‘war on sugar’ campaign. God willing, it will be tabled at the Cabinet meeting soon.

“We will implement it after obtaining approval,” he said in a press conference here today.

Dzulkefly said excise duties on sugary drinks introduced by the government on July 1, 2019, showed a 9.25% reduction in sweet food and drinks purchases nationwide.

“There is more to come, with some good approaches for our ‘war on sugar’ campaign. Soon, we will unveil this,” he said.

In addition to the rise in tax in 2019, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced a further increase in prices for sugary drinks from RM0.40 to RM0.50 a litre while presenting Budget 2024 last October.