Free face masks for 8 million households soon, says minister

Alfian Z.M. Tahir Alfian Z.M. Tahir Updated 4 years ago · Published on 26 Mar 2020 3:11PM · 2 Comments

A man wearing a makeshift face mask in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. Putrajaya is in the midst of importing 10 million face masks from China to overcome the current shortage in the country. – AFP pic, March 26, 2020.

PUTRAJAYA will distribute free face masks to more than eight million households in the country, said Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

“At the moment, we are waiting for the masks to arrive and when it arrives, it will be distributed in stages.

“The state disaster management unit will handle the distribution of face masks. The masks are not free; the government is paying for them,” Ismail Sabri said.

Putrajaya is in the midst of importing 10 million face masks from China to overcome the current shortage in the country.

It was reported today that local mask manufacturers are complaining of a 600% hike in the price of raw materials

Manufacturers told The Malaysian Insight that they are still producing the protective gear, but will stop once they run out of raw materials.

Malaysia has also stopped the export of face masks to meet domestic demand, while importing supply from China.

The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry has also launched enforcement operations to ensure retailers do not price face masks at higher than RM2 per piece. – March 26, 2020.

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Comments

  • Don't buy cheap mask at premium price through middlemen and give to public. Another form of corruption.

    Posted 4 years ago by James Wong · Reply

  • 10 million masks distribute to 8 million households.
    Each household will get 1.25 mask.
    Very clever minister instead.
    Side effect of eating too much telor penyu?

    Posted 4 years ago by Chee yee ng · Reply