The Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry's flawed price control mechanism is causing the people to pay unreasonable prices for face masks at a time when they need them most, says DAP's Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching.
This, Teo explained, is because the maximum price for face masks set by the ministry is too high that it renders the price control obsolete.
"(The) face mask is a controlled item under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 and the Supply Control Act 1961 since Aug 26, 2009.
"However, the maximum retail price set by the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry is allowing profiteering," she said in a press statement today.
For example, she noted that the maximum price for the three-ply surgical masks set by the government is RM0.80 each, while the wholesale maximum price is RM25 for 50 pieces.
However, Teo pointed out, the market price before the haze for such a mask was only RM0.40 per piece and RM10 per box of 50 pieces.
"As for N95 face masks, the maximum price set by the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry is RM6 each while the maximum wholesale price is fixed at RM100 for one box of 20 pieces.
"However, the general public could purchase the mask at RM3 per piece or RM50 per box (of 20 pieces) before this," she added.
'Exorbitant prices'
For now, Teo said there were even complaints that a box of N95 masks was being sold for as high as RM180.
"If the BN government is not able to provide free N95 masks to the poor and needy - like what the Singapore government has done - it should at least make sure that there is no price hike at this critical period," she stressed.
As such, Teo (above) said the government needed to review the maximum price of the mask to prevent the people from being "slaughtered" by unethical businesspeople.
"At the same time, a complaint hotline should be set up immediately for the general public to call and lodge complaints when they come across any price hike for face masks," she said.
Malaysia and Singapore have been engulfed in haze over the past week due to persistent fires in neighbouring Indonesia.
This, Teo explained, is because the maximum price for face masks set by the ministry is too high that it renders the price control obsolete."(The) face mask is a controlled item under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 and the Supply Control Act 1961 since Aug 26, 2009.
"However, the maximum retail price set by the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry is allowing profiteering," she said in a press statement today.
For example, she noted that the maximum price for the three-ply surgical masks set by the government is RM0.80 each, while the wholesale maximum price is RM25 for 50 pieces.
However, Teo pointed out, the market price before the haze for such a mask was only RM0.40 per piece and RM10 per box of 50 pieces.
"As for N95 face masks, the maximum price set by the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry is RM6 each while the maximum wholesale price is fixed at RM100 for one box of 20 pieces."However, the general public could purchase the mask at RM3 per piece or RM50 per box (of 20 pieces) before this," she added.
'Exorbitant prices'
For now, Teo said there were even complaints that a box of N95 masks was being sold for as high as RM180.
"If the BN government is not able to provide free N95 masks to the poor and needy - like what the Singapore government has done - it should at least make sure that there is no price hike at this critical period," she stressed.As such, Teo (above) said the government needed to review the maximum price of the mask to prevent the people from being "slaughtered" by unethical businesspeople.
"At the same time, a complaint hotline should be set up immediately for the general public to call and lodge complaints when they come across any price hike for face masks," she said.
Malaysia and Singapore have been engulfed in haze over the past week due to persistent fires in neighbouring Indonesia.
Meanwhile Bernamayesterday quoted Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Hasan Malek as saying that the ministry will come down hard on traders who raises the price of face masks due to increased demand.Those caught can be fined up to RM100,000 or jailed not more three years or both, or compounded up to RM50,000, while companies stand to be fined up to RM500,000 or compounded up to RM250,000.
Hasan reportedly said action will also be taken against traders and companies that fail to display the price on the masks being sold.
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