LABUAN: Traders are warned against arbitrarily raising the prices of face masks amid increased consumer demand, said Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) Labuan Enforcement Chief Amiluddin Malang.
He added that the ministry had taken proactive measures to monitor the supply and prices of face masks in the retail sector across Labuan.
“The monitoring focuses on business premises offering surgical or medical face masks, including one-, two- and three-ply masks as well as N95 masks,” he said.
To protect consumers from unreasonable price increases, traders were also reminded that the maximum retail and wholesale prices for the masks are subject to the rates gazetted in 2017.
Amiluddin said the monitoring was being carried out to ensure an adequate supply of face masks to meet consumer demand, while ensuring traders offered reasonable prices and complied with the prevailing laws.
In addition to monitoring, advocacy sessions were also conducted on the ground to brief traders on the types of face masks subject to price controls and their responsibilities in complying with the regulations.
“Traders are also reminded not to take advantage of the current increase in demand by arbitrarily raising the prices of any type of face mask,” he said.
Any unreasonable price increase, particularly during periods of increased demand, could result in enforcement action under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 (Act 723).
KPDN Labuan will continue to conduct monitoring to safeguard consumer interests and ensure adequate supplies of essential related goods are available at reasonable prices.
