The price of the new retail ceiling for a three-layer face mask will be reduced to 70 sen from RM1 previously and will take effect on November 1.
The matter was confirmed by the Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP), Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi through a statement issued today.
He said the wholesale ceiling price for a three-layer face mask will also be reduced to 65 sen a piece from 95 sen previously.
Alexander explained that after considering the need for the community to continue to apply new norms, especially the use of face masks, his party has studied the price of face masks with local manufacturers and importers.
"The new ceiling price will be enforced through the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011," he added.
He added that the retail ceiling price for one-layer face mask is set at 7 sen a piece while the two-layer type face mask is 20 sen a piece and N95 type face mask costs RM6 a piece.
Meanwhile, it has conducted a total of 67,217 inspections and monitoring of prices and supply of face masks nationwide from January 29 to October 25.
"The inspections carried out have led to 73 seizure cases worth RM543,737 and a total compound of RM518,400," said Alexander.
Under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011, individuals who sell goods in excess of the ceiling price can be fined up to RM100,000 or jailed for not more than three years or both; or pay a compound of up to RM50,000 while the company can be fined up to RM500,000 or pay a compound of up to RM250,000.
