In response, the government has taken a bold and innovative approach. Since 2019, Malaysia has implemented an excise duty on sugar-sweetened beverages, gradually increasing it to 90 sen per litre in 2025. This policy is proving to be a landmark public health success. By November 2025, the tax had generated RM73.81 million, bringing the total revenue since its inception to RM521.35 million. Crucially, RM25 million of these funds have been directly channeled to the Ministry of Health to finance diabetes medications and expand dialysis facilities, creating a self-sustaining ecosystem that taxes the cause of the problem to pay for the cure. While the government has avoided taxing freshly prepared drinks, it is promoting its "Healthy Dining Programme" (HDP) as a key strategy for encouraging better choices, with plans to extend this "pro-health" tax framework to tobacco, vaping, and alcohol products.
For Malaysians looking to adopt a healthier lifestyle, here are some recommendations: In response, the government has taken a bold
Health problems are accelerating among younger populations, with increasing reports of cancer, heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure . By November 2025, the tax had generated RM73