The government has announced that the ceiling price of COVID-19 rapid test kits in Malaysia has been set to RM 19.90 and will be put in place starting from 5 September 2021 onwards. At the moment, these test kits are generally priced at above RM 30.
The maximum wholesale price for the test kits has also been set to RM 16.00 per set. Revealed through a joint announcement by the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi together with Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, this move is being implemented through the provisions under the Control of Supplies Act 1961 as well as Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011.
Individuals that are found guilty of selling these test kits beyond the ceiling price limit would face a compound of up to RM50,000 or risking up to RM100,000 fine and three years of jail time. Similarly, companies that are found guilty of similar offence will have to pay a RM500,000 fine or RM250,000 compound.
In a separate tweet, Minister Khairy also said that the government is working to provide the COVID-19 test kit for free to B40 families. In addition to that, it is also looking into bulk purchase options in order to help reduce the pricing of these kits further.
(Source: KPDNHEP / Facebook, Khairy Jamaluddin / Twitter. Image: Alex Koch / Pexels.)
