KUALA LUMPUR: The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry (KPDNHEP) is investigating a private hospital here for profiteering after a patient was allegedly charged RM11.20 for a single face mask.
The ministry's enforcement director Datuk Iskandar Halim Sulaiman said they carried out checks after receiving information and complaints from a member of the public, who claimed he was charged RM201.60 for 18 face masks worn by nurses when treating patients.
Checks showed that the face masks were sold at RM11.20 each, compared to the maximum price of RM1.50 per piece.
"Several documents on the transaction, including the face masks, were confiscated from the private hospital for investigations.
"This case will be investigated under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 for the offence of selling or offering a price-controlled item for more than the set maximum price.
"The private hospital will also be probed under Section 14 of the same Act for profiteering," he said in a statement today.
Any individual that commits an offence under the Act can be fined not more than RM500,000. For the second and subsequent offences, a fine not exceeding RM1 million will be imposed if it involves a corporate body.
Iskandar Halim stressed that KPDNHEP is serious in ensuring that the supply of face masks is easily available for no more than the set maximum price.
He urged the public to channel information on suspicious activities by calling its Enforcement Command Centre hotline at 1-800-886-800 or 03-8882 6088/ 6245 or via email to http://e-aduan.kpdnhep.gov.my.