COVID-19: Mask prices are increasing rapidly, says Saifuddin
SUNGAI BULOH: Mask prices are sold for exorbitant price from 80 cents to RM 2. Some sellers are jacking up prices by three or four times the original cost.
In a facebook posting, former Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution pointed out that supplies are still scarce, but prices are increasing.
“On the last day of my job as Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry (KPDNHEP), I met all the top face mask manufacturers in Malaysia.
“They were called for simplified labour matters, allowed operations of 3 shifts without bureaucracy and were given customs tax relief,” he wrote.
According to Saifuddin, all of his requests were brought to the Cabinet and approved. All manufacturers agree to increase production.
However, they did not ask for a price increase because they knew the price of the KPDNHEP face mask was below the control price.
The public have also responded to his Facebook post saying that the price have increased from RM 4.70 to RM 6. Some said that they could not obtain masks and sanitizers.
“I request the government to review the recent price hike of masks,” said Saifuddin.
The face masks are controlled items and the price has been set is 80 sen per unit for the three-ply masks and RM6 per unit for the N95.
By S Jeevita
