Johor: Johor-based dairy product specialist Farm Fresh Bhd is looking forward to the upcoming Budget 2026, hoping for sustained funding to support household spending on essential goods and a refined approach to health-related policies, particularly sugar taxation.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Mohd Khairul Mat Hassan emphasized the significance of initiatives such as Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA), a one-off aid programme, which have proven beneficial in enhancing the spending power of Malaysians, especially those from lower-income households, for their basic needs.

"We focus on essential goods, particularly milk for nutrition. More targeted initiatives that channel resources to essentials would benefit both consumers and the industry," he told reporters on the sidelines of the ASEAN CFO Sustainability Leadership Summit here today.

When addressing the issue of sugar tax, Mohd Khairul advocated for a more comprehensive and structured approach to effectively encourage behavioral change among consumers.

"It is not only about sucrose; hidden sugars such as maltodextrin should also be accounted for. A proper regulatory framework involving the Health Ministry, the food industry and the tax system will ensure the policy delivers its intended impact," he said.

The government is scheduled to table Budget 2026 on October 10.