CEILING PRICE FOR SURGICAL MASKS TO BE DISCUSSED TUESDAY

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 18 (Bernama) -- The ceiling price for surgical masks will
be discussed at a meeting between officers from the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives
and Consumerism Ministry and the Health Ministry Tuesday.

Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Ismail Sabri said a
decision on the matter was expected to be announced on Wednesday.

The price would depend on the mask type, he told Bernama Monday.

Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin Monday said the government was
considering to list surgical masks under the controlled items list to avoid
suppliers from inflating its price due to the increase in its demand because of
the Influenza A (H1N1) outbreak.

Based on a survey, the price of surgical masks has gone up to RM5 each from
40 sen previously.

Ismail said if surgical masks were to be made controlled items, action under
the Price Control Act could be taken against traders found to increase the price
of the items.

Several consumers associations, including the Federation of Malaysian
Consumers Associations, welcome the move to list surgical masks as controlled
items.

Fomca secretary-general Muhammad Shaani Abdullah said the masks should be
sold a minimum price at pharmacists or other outlets to help contain the spread
of the H1N1 virus.

This would be the time for pharmacists and traders to show their loyalty by
helping the country to prevent the spread of the virus, and not use the
situation as an opportunity to increase price of the masks, he added.

He said priority should also be made to provide free surgical masks to
school children from poor families, senior citizens and those at risks of being
exposed to the virus.

"The public should also be shown the right way to wear the surgical masks,"
he added.

Secretary-general of the Muslim Consumers Association of Malaysia Dr
Ma'amor Osman suggested that the government buy the surgical masks in bulk and
to distribute them to the high-risk group, like school children.

He said the corporate sector should also play their role by financing the
purchase of surgical masks for distribution to the public.
-- BERNAMA