Where face masks cost RM10 each!
Published on: Saturday, February 22, 2020
By: Oliver Voon
Photo for illustration only.
File Photo from Bernama.
MEMBERS of the public who find any shop selling face masks exorbitantly can lodge a report with the Ministry via its Whatsapp service at 0192794317.“Our officers will take immediate action upon receiving such reports,” said a Ministry spokesman.
ADVERTISEMENT
A Member of a public was taken aback when told that the price for a single-layer “face surgical mask” in a foreign supermarket in Tg Aru Plaza was sold at RM10 each or RM50 per box containing five pieces.
The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry will take action against traders who hike the prices of face masks in view of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak.
He said action will be taken under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act against traders who hike the prices unreasonably.
“Those convicted for offences under the Act can be fined up to RM100,000 or jailed up to three years, while companies can be fined up to RM500,000,” he added.
ADVERTISEMENT
He said the retail price for a single-layer surgical mask is at RM7 per-box, while the three-layer mask is sold at 80 sen.
“The two-layer mask is at RM10 per-box and only sold at 20 sen per-unit,” he added.
ADVERTISEMENT
JOHN, who was surprised to see the costly surgical mask being sold in that outlet recently, said the authority must warn sellers not to take advantage from the deadly outbreak by raising their prices.
“I was shocked to see the price tag when I stopped by at this outlet to buy some groceries recently,” he added.
He said fears over the spread of the virus in China have triggered a surge in sales of such item including hand sanitizers.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
