Covid-19 self-test kit: Harapan calls for ceiling price reduced to RM5

 

Pakatan Harapan's cost of living committee today urged Putrajaya to further cut down the ceiling price for Covid-19 self-test kits, saying that the RM19.90 set was not enough.

In a statement, they said the kits should be sold for lower than RM10 each, and suggested that the most ideal price for a unit would be around RM5.

"The RM19.90 ceiling price is still considered high and burdensome to the rakyat, especially those from B40 group.

"Even those in the M40 group would also face a similar issue (to purchase at such price).

"Each self-test kit is only for a person and it is single use. So the amount spent would be gone just like that.

"The need and demand for this self-test kit is very high today and will continue to increase as it is the fastest method to screen someone for Covid-19 virus," the statement said.

Harapan cost of living committee consists of seven MPs and two state assemblypersons, namely Pasir Gudang PKR MP Hassan Abdul Karim; Hasanuddin Mohd Yunus (Hulu Langat MP - Amanah); Chong Chieng Jen (Stampin MP - DAP); N Sivakumar (Batu Gajah MP - DAP); Norhayati Bachok (Maharani state assemblyperson - Amanah); Chan Foong Hin (Kota Kinabalu MP - DAP); Asmirul Anuar Aris (Kubang Rotan state assemblyperson - Amanah); and Cha Kee Chin (Rasah MP - DAP).

The committee also criticised a statement made by Finance Minister Zafrul Abdul Aziz, who said yesterday the government would look to further decrease the ceiling price by the end of this year.

"This shows that the government is not concerned about problems faced by the rakyat, and the decision is against the spirit of Keluarga Malaysia," they said, referring to Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob's new mantra.

"The government is responsible to lower the retail ceiling price to below RM15 by end of this month, and continue to decrease it to below RM10 by end of October.

"The ideal price for this kit in the future is around RM5, and this ceiling price should be introduced by the end of November."

On Sept 2, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi and Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin announced that the government has decided to cap the retail price of Covid-19 antigen rapid test kits at RM19.90 each.

Khairy later told reporters that the decision was made in the interest of the rakyat. - Mkini