PUTRAJAYA: The new retail ceiling price for 3-ply face masks will be reduced to 70 sen from RM1 per piece, effective this Sunday, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi said.
In a statement today, he said the wholesale ceiling price for the masks would also be reduced to 65 sen from the previous 95 sen.
He said the government has taken into account the needs of the people who have to adopt the new norms, especially the mandatory use of face masks.
“Thus, the ministry has reviewed the price of the masks with the cooperation of local manufacturers and importers.
“This new ceiling price will be enforced through the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011.”
Linggi said the retail ceiling price for single-layer face masks was set at seven sen a piece, while two-layer face masks will cost 20 sen per piece and N95 face masks will be RM6 per piece.
Meanwhile, he said the ministry had conducted a total of 67,217 inspections and monitoring of price and supply of face masks nationwide from Jan 29 until Oct 25.
“Our enforcement action led to seizures worth RM543,737 and compounds totalling RM518,400 issued to 73 businesses,” he said, adding that traders could be fined for failing to comply with the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011. – FMT