PUTRAJAYA will lower the retail prices of three-ply face masks to RM1 a piece, said Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi. 

“As a result of better supply conditions, the ceiling price for three-ply masks will be lowered to RM1 per piece for retail and RM0.95 each for wholesale,” Nanta told Parliament today. 

He said the government was adopting a “soft landing” approach to ensure stocks already brought in at a higher price can be sold.

“This price was decided after consulting all the manufacturers, retailers and other stakeholders. 

“The government, however, is open to lowering the price again when necessary,” said Nanta.

The minister was responding to Chong Chieng Jen (Stampin-PH) who asked the government to explain why it had raised the ceiling price of masks from RM0.80 to RM1.50.

The Kapit MP, however, did not say when the new retail price will take effect.

The government had announced in July that a new ceiling price of RM1.20 each for the masks would take effect from August 15 after making its use mandatory in public areas from August 1.

Earlier, Nanta said the government had raised the price to RM1.50 each on April 1 to overcome to the global shortage caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Manufacturers and retailers said the cost of raw materials used to make masks had risen due to a global shortage. They also complained that air freight rates had gone up.

“Taking into consideration the trend of the depreciating ringgit, the ceiling price of RM0.80 was not enough and the ministry decided to raise it to RM1.50 each to overcome the shortage.”

Nanta said it helped to ensure sufficient supply of masks in the market.

“Added to the fact that local manufacturers decided not to export any masks, the local supply was boosted,” said the minister. – August 11, 2020.