KUALA LUMPUR: The retail ceiling price for three-ply face masks will be lowered to RM1 per piece while the wholesaler cost has been set at 95 sen each.
Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi told the Dewan Rakyat the move to reduce the price of the face masks of medical grade was in line with the government's Aug 1 mandatory ruling for people to don the personal protective equipment in crowded places and public transportation.
"As a caring government that is sensitive towards the people's need, I like to inform that as for now, the face mask supply is adequate and the production has been heightened.
"The move to lower the ceiling price of face masks is a soft landing approach to allow available stocks that have been flown in earlier at a higher cost can be sold to reduce the losses.
"The ministry is ready to bring down the ceiling price to an even lower level at anytime in the future. We hope this effort will alleviate the burden of parents who have to provide the face masks to their children who have started going to school and for the public's use," he said.
Alexander said the new price of the three-ply face masks had been lessened from what the cabinet had earlier agreed on July 17 which was RM1.50 to RM1.20 per unit for retail and RM1.45 to RM1.15 per unit.
The minister said this in a reply to questions by Chong Chieng Jen (PH-Stampin) and Cha Kee Chin (PH-Rasah) who had asked on the rationale behind the government's move to raise the maximum price of three-ply face masks from 80 sen to RM1.50 per unit and if the price of RM1.20 set for Aug 15 would be further cut as it had become a necessary item for Malaysians.
In a supplementary question, Chong said while he welcomed the government's effort to further lower the prices in the future, he questioned if the move was a tad late as the Aug 1 ruling was already in place.
Chong described the ministry's reaction as two or three steps behind the change of the market forces.
He also asked if the government could guarantee the quality of the face masks and its effectiveness to break the Covid-19 chain.
In response, Alexander said the government had been careful to ensure that the quality of face masks sold would meet a certain standard that had been discussed with stakeholders such as consumers and manufacturers.
"It may be true that although our reaction is late, this will ensure the safety of consumers. That is more important. This is not about politics or being popular that we reduce the price that is good for politics but ineffective to safeguard the safety of consumers.
"The steps to assist the people will continue. I have said the RM1 at retail price will not end here. We will study this matter again together with all stakeholders and we will reduce it.
"That is the ministry and the caring government's assurance," he said.