KUALA LUMPUR: The government has fixed new ceiling prices for face masks to ensure that there is enough supply during the ongoing two week-long Movement Control Order (MCO) aimed at halting the spread of Covid-19 in the country.
Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi said the prices were fixed after the ministry took into consideration a spike in the cost of imported materials used to produce face masks.
In a statement, Nanta said the ceiling prices were gazetted under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering (Determination of Maximum Price) Order 2020, on Mar 20.
The new ceiling prices for face masks are as follows:
1 ply (ear loop) face mask (surgical/medical)
Wholesale price: RM5 per box
Retail price: RM7 per box
2 ply (ear loop) face mask (surgical/medical)
Wholesale price: RM8 per box
Retail price: RM10 per box/ 20 sen per unit
3 ply (ear loop/head loop/head tie-on) face mask (surgical/medical)
Wholesale price: RM75 per box/RM1.50 per unit
Retail price: RM100 per box/RM2 per unit
N95 face mask (surgical medical)
Wholesale price: RM100 per box
Retail price: RM6 per unit
Nanta added that with the new ceiling prices, all four face mask manufacturers in the country, as well as importers of the items, could increase supply for domestic consumption as Malaysia combats Covid-19.
He also said that the ministry banned the export of face masks as gazetted under the Customs (Prohibition of Export) (No. 2) Order 2020 under the Customs Act 1967 on Mar 20.
“Therefore, all export of face masks is not allowed,” Nanta added.