Government collects over RM521 million in sugary drink excise duties since 2019

THE Government has amassed a total of RM521.35 million in excise duties from sweetened beverages since the introduction of the levy in 2019, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim revealed in Parliament yesterday.

According to Anwar, who also serves as Finance Minister, between 1 July 2019 and 31 December 2024, excise duties on sweetened drinks amounted to RM447.54 million.

“From January to November 2025, the collection stood at RM73.81 million, bringing the cumulative excise revenue on sweetened beverages to RM521.35 million.

All of these proceeds have been channelled into the Federal Consolidated Fund, in accordance with Article 97 of the Federal Constitution,” he stated in a written reply in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday.

Anwar was responding to a question by Suhaizan Kaiat (PH-Pulai), who sought details on the total taxes collected from sugary drinks and the extent to which these funds had been allocated for diabetes medication and the Peritoneal Dialysis Programme.

The Prime Minister explained that the excise duty on sweetened beverages was initially imposed on 1 July 2019 at 40 sen per litre, based on a predetermined sugar content threshold.

“This rate was subsequently increased to 50 sen per litre on 1 January 2024 and most recently to 90 sen per litre on 1 January 2025.

“The increase is part of the government’s strategy to curb the consumption of high-sugar drinks among Malaysians and to support the Health Ministry’s ‘War on Sugar’ campaign,” he said.

Anwar noted that, in line with the government’s commitment in the 2025 Budget, a portion of the additional excise revenue will be allocated to the Ministry of Health to fund public health expenditures.

This includes the procurement of SGLT-2 inhibitors for diabetes treatment and the enhancement of Peritoneal Dialysis services for patients with end-stage kidney disease.

“The government has already disbursed RM25 million from the excise duty collected on sweetened beverages to the Ministry of Health to implement the War on Sugar advocacy programme, purchase SGLT-2 medication for the treatment of Diabetes Mellitus, and provide Peritoneal Dialysis facilities for patients with end-stage kidney disease in 2025,” he affirmed. - November 25, 2025