PN urged to proceed with Harapan's plan to buy masks for frontliners
CORONAVIRUS | PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution today urged the government to proceed with a previously approved plan to counter a shortage of three-ply face masks through purchasing all available stocks intended for export.
The former domestic trade and consumer affairs minister said this was based on discussions held with industry players during his last days in office, in the earlier phase of the Covid-19 outbreak....
CORONAVIRUS | PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution today urged the government to proceed with a previously approved plan to counter a shortage of three-ply face masks through purchasing all available stocks intended for export.
The former domestic trade and consumer affairs minister said this was based on discussions held with industry players during his last days in office, in the earlier phase of the Covid-19 outbreak.
"Then finance minister Lim Guan Eng had approved RM5 million allocation so that the government could purchase all available stock.
"From our discussion with the companies, a total supply of seven million face masks in one week had been identified," said Saifuddin during a Pakatan Harapan secretariat press conference, together with DAP organising secretary Anthony Loke and Amanah communications director Khalid Samad.
Saifuddin also urged the government to prioritise the supply of face masks to frontliners out in the field, particularly Immigration personnel, airport staff and hospital staff.
The leaders were responding to Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's announcement last night that the government has imposed a movement control order beginning tomorrow until March 31 as part of efforts to contain the outbreak.
While they welcomed the announcement, the leaders noted that there were many unanswered questions which required further clarifications.
Meanwhile, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi (above) today reiterated that the government is mulling a ban on exports of face masks.
"We're coming to (sic) something like that... very soon," he said when quizzed about the matter during a press conference in Putrajaya.
Alexander also maintained that four local factories are working at full capacity to meet demands for face masks, although individuals who insisted on purchasing large numbers for personal use had contributed to the perception of a shortage in the market.
"It can be enough but unfortunately, because people are stocking too much for themselves, they have caused a shortage in that sense.
"There's no real shortage at the moment yet," he stressed.
At the same time, Alexander said the government is also making a decision on requests by people who wished to import face masks for sale.
"Now prices overseas have gone up because of the material costs, so when they import, they cannot sell at our controlled price, it will be more expensive," he said.
He said measures will be taken on face mask supply, including looking into the possibility of lifting the cap price of face mask.
"For the sake of the people and for the safety, we will have to look into making it available is more important because that is what people want and need," he said.
"The people are important, we will look into whatever is useful for the benefit of the people, even lifting (the cap price)," he said.
Currently, the price of the ear loop three-layer mask is capped at 80 sen each and the N95 mask is capped at RM6 each.
The government had reiterated that the supply of face mask are adequate yet the people have difficulty to get it from the market.
As of noon yesterday, Malaysia has recorded a total of 553 Covid-19 positive cases.
