Our nation is going through turmoil in the form of health bugs. First ,it was the influenza bug and now the corona virus. The former dilemma, the nation ran short of vaccine. The latter on the other came in the form of shortage of face mask.

The government has declared the face masks as price control item and price fixed at:
1. One layer face mask at RM7.00 per box retail price
2. Two layer face mask at RM10 per box / 20 sen per unit retail price
3. Three layer mask – 80 sen per unit retail price
4. N95 – RM6 per unit retail

This was announced by Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Chong Chieng Jen recently. Any traders found flouting the law can be punished severely.At National Consumer Complaints Centre (NCCC), many consumers voiced their frustration because many pharmacies and health care shop ran out of stock of face mask.  To add salt to the wound, some traders who had the stock, took the opportunity to rake in quick cash by selling the face mask at an exorbitant price. This is very unhealthy as the traders are putting a price tag for the basic fundamental rights as consumers i.e. The right to basic needs, which includes health care. The officers from Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) should  visit and check on convenient stores as well health care shops and find out the price the mask sold.

Consumers should also send direct complaint to KPDNHEP through their website at e-aduan.kpdnhep.gov.my The officers should go hard on the traders so that  they will not exploit on the current situation to make money when they are supposed to serve the public at large. Consumers must work hand in hand with the authorities to eradicate the dishonest and unethical traders who infringe our basic rights.

BASKARAN SITHAMPARAM
Senior Manager
National Consumer Complaints Center (NCCC)