Make it below RM2 for ceiling price of face masks, PM orders
Ismail Sabri, who is also Defence Minister, said the government would buy 10 million face masks from China and that it would be fully funded by the government. - FILepic
The government is considering to lower the ceiling price of face masks from RM2 a piece to make it cheaper.
Senior (Security) Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the new price would be announced after a ministerial meeting tomorrow.
“The ceiling price of RM2 for each face mask is too high. Even the Prime Minister (Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin) disagrees and we will have a meeting tomorrow so that the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) can review it.
"We want it lowered to its initial price level, which should not be an issue as the government has already agreed to abolish import duties for face masks," he said at a press conference here on Sunday.
Ismail Sabri, who is also Defence Minister, said the government would buy 10 million face masks from China and that it would be fully funded by the government.
“The priority is for frontline personnel in hospitals, police, military, Rela and so on.
"The rest will be distributed to areas identified as of high risk, if there are more, the government will decide how to distribute them," he said.
He added that the government would probably buy more face masks to meet the needs of the people.
On Saturday, Senior Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof announced that 10 million face masks would be brought in stages to the country and to be coordinated by the Ministry of Transport.
"The National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) will coordinate the provision and distribution of the masks when it arrives," he said.
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