The Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA) has urged the Malaysian government to eliminate the need for Approved Permits (AP) and Import Permits (IP) for refined sugar, citing a current oversupply in the domestic market.
FELDA Chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek stressed that Malaysia’s sugar production is sufficient to meet local demand, and further imports are creating unfair competition for domestic producers.
He pointed out that MSM Malaysia Holdings Berhad, the nation’s largest sugar manufacturer and a subsidiary of the FGV Group, backs the proposal to revoke these permits in order to ease the burden on local refining operations.
“In countries like Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia, sugar prices are much higher. However, the same sugar is being sold in Malaysia at RM2.85, the same as our locally controlled price,” he said.
“This clearly reflects dumping practices, which must be addressed,” Ahmad Shabery told reporters after visiting MSM Malaysia and launching the ‘Gula Perai Edisi Khas FELDA’ to honour FELDA settlers.
He noted that between 60,000 and 70,000 metric tonnes of refined sugar are imported annually for local retail sale.
If this continues, he warned, it could disrupt the operations of local refineries, result in job losses, and pose serious long-term economic risks.
“In my opinion, since our local production already exceeds demand, there is no need to issue import permits for refined sugar,” he added.
FELDA has officially submitted the issue to the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living for further consideration.
