<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 18): The government plans to increase the excise duty rate for sugar-sweetened beverages to 90 sen per litre next year, from 50 sen currently.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>This 40 sen increase, which represents an 80% hike from the current level, was announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim when tabling the Budget 2025 on Friday as a measure to support the "war on sugar" movement.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>It is also the second consecutive annual hike in the sugar tax, which was just increased to 50 sen from 40 sen this year — a measure announced in Budget 2024.</p></div><div class=inPageAd id=div-gpt-ad-inpage></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>The sugar tax was introduced in 2019, and was initially levied at 40 sen per litre on ready-to-drink beverages containing more than five grammes of sugar per 100ml.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>Anwar said the additional revenue generated from the tax hike will be channelled towards public health expenditures.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>This includes increasing the supply of SGLT-2 inhibitor drugs for diabetes treatment, expanding access to peritoneal dialysis for end-stage kidney patients and enhancing dialysis centres — including those in Felda communities.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p><strong>Click&nbsp;<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://theedgemalaysia.com/budget/2025/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1729227756981000&amp;usg=AOvVaw032F6PlMN--BgJeCzx0DUP" href="https://theedgemalaysia.com/budget/2025/" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;for all you need to know about Malaysia's Budget 2025.</strong></p></div>


The government plans to increase the excise duty rate for sugar-sweetened beverages to 90 sen per litre next year, from 50 sen currently.

This 40 sen increase, which represents an 80% hike from the current level, was announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim when tabling the Budget 2025 on Friday as a measure to support the "war on sugar" movement.

Sugary drink tax to be raised to 90 sen per litre next year, from 50 sen now

All parties to Israel-Hamas war have agreed that the Gaza ceasefire will take effect at 8.30am local time on Sunday, a few hours earlier than had been anticipated, Qatar announced.

Gaza ceasefire to start on Sunday morning following Israeli approval

South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol appeared in court on Saturday to argue against a request for his detention to be extended after his arrest earlier this week.

Impeached S Korean president Yoon defends himself in court against longer detention

The Ministry of Transport (MOT) will hold talks with the Road Transport Department (JPJ) to enable the mobile application for the selling and buying of used motorcycles to be integrated with the mySIKAP system for simpler, faster and safer transactions.

MOT, JPJ to discuss integrating app for buying and selling used motorcycles with mySIKAP

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has detained four more individuals suspected of accepting bribes in return for assisting in processing and approving personal loan applications submitted by a financial consultancy firm.

MACC arrests four more suspects over loan bribery scandal

Phase 3 of the e-invoicing initiative has received over 4,900 early voluntary participants, according to the Inland Revenue Board (IRB).

In a statement on Saturday, the IRB noted that the e-invoicing implementation had now entered the second phase and shown a promising increase in participation.

Over 4,900 early voluntary participants in Phase 3 of e-invoicing, says IRB

JF Technology Bhd (KL:JFTECH) co-founder and managing director Datuk Foong Wei Kuong, who became the second-largest shareholder of Cosmos Technology International Bhd (KL:COSMOS) on Wednesday, said he intends to tap into the growing opportunities within Malaysia's water infrastructure sector.

JF Tech boss sees water infrastructure potential in Cosmos as he becomes second-largest shareholder

Deutsche Lufthansa AG completed the acquisition of a minority stake in Italian carrier ITA Airways late on Friday after first making an offer for its competitor in January 2023.

Lufthansa finalises deal for 41% stake in Italy’s ITA Airways

Malaysia's economy is projected to grow at a moderate pace of 4.5% to 5.0% in 2025, benefiting from strong economic fundamentals and an uptick in foreign investments, Hong Leong Bank Bhd or HLB (KL:HLBANK) said.

HLB forecasts M'sian economic growth at moderate pace of 4.5% to 5% in 2025

A four-day road ban on goods vehicles will be enforced in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebration to alleviate traffic congestion and minimise the risk of accidents.

MOT to enforce road ban on goods vehicles during Chinese New Year

Discussions are underway between the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and Microsoft, the owner of LinkedIn, regarding the licensing of the social media platform, said Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.

MCMC discussing LinkedIn licensing with platform owner Microsoft, says Fahmi

<p>JF Technology Bhd (KL:JFTECH) co-founder and managing director Datuk Foong Wei Kuong, who became the second-largest shareholder of Cosmos Technology International Bhd (KL:COSMOS) on Wednesday, said he intends to tap into the growing opportunities within Malaysia's water infrastructure sector.</p>


<p>Malaysia's economy is projected to grow at a moderate pace of 4.5% to 5.0% in 2025, benefiting from strong economic fundamentals and an uptick in foreign investments, Hong Leong Bank Bhd or HLB (KL:HLBANK) said.</p>


<p>The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has detained four more individuals suspected of accepting bribes in return for assisting in processing and approving personal loan applications submitted by a financial consultancy firm.</p>


<p>The Ministry of Transport (MOT) will hold talks with the Road Transport Department (JPJ) to enable the mobile application for the selling and buying of used motorcycles to be integrated with the mySIKAP system for simpler, faster and safer transactions.</p>


<p>A four-day&nbsp;road ban on goods vehicles will be enforced in conjunction with&nbsp;the Chinese New Year celebration to alleviate traffic congestion and minimise&nbsp;the risk of accidents.</p>


<p>Discussions are underway between the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and Microsoft, the owner of LinkedIn, regarding the licensing of the social media platform, said Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.</p>


<p>Phase 3 of the e-invoicing initiative has received over 4,900 early voluntary participants, according to the Inland Revenue Board (IRB).</p>

<p>In a statement on Saturday, the IRB&nbsp;noted that the e-invoicing implementation had now entered the second phase and shown a promising increase in participation.</p>


<p>South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol appeared in court on Saturday to argue against a request for his detention to be extended after his arrest earlier this week.&nbsp;</p>


<p>Deutsche Lufthansa AG completed the acquisition of a minority stake in Italian carrier ITA Airways late on Friday after first making an offer for its competitor in January 2023.&nbsp;</p>


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