The CEO of Guinness Anchor Berhad, Charles Ireland, has asked the government to standardise the tax system for alcoholic beverages, arguing that there is a lot of inconsistency in the taxes levied on different types of alcoholic drinks. Apparently most countries follow a relatively simple system which levies taxes on alcoholic beverages based on their alcohol content, whereas in Malaysia there are 26 different rates depending on the type of alcoholic beverage in question. He pointed out that spirits are taxed at half the rate of beer. It is interesting to note that the tax on a single can of beer is just over RM4, which has resulted in widespread smuggling of cans into
Malaysia.