Make face masks a controlled item immediately

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw calls on the Federal Government to place face masks in the controlled items immediately because of profiteers inflating the price.

Just as everyone, Dr Tan is concerned with some traders inflating the price of face masks, not only from 30 sen to 60 sen each, but also to higher price such as RM5 or more. The price of health items used to fight the pandemic should not be deliberately increased.

The influenza A H1N1 pandemic marches on relentlessly. More Malaysians will be infected. The official figures show 4,225 cases with 64 deaths. There may be thousands more carrying the virus. The Government may have to declare a health emergency.

Meanwhile, the measures taken include the wearing of masks. The type of masks worn by the public, including those seen at the nomination of candidates for the Permatang Pasir by-election yesterday, do not stop the virus going through the pores. They can reduce the amount of droplets in the atmosphere. The Health Ministry should explain the effectiveness of the different types of masks.

As the pandemic spreads, we hope that the public cooperate, complying with the measures. Can traders charge consumers at cost for face masks?

The Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin felt that it was daylight robbery if the price was raised from 40 sen to RM 5 each. Let us hope that he immediately take the necessary steps to make face masks a controlled item.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw