Three women wear face masks to protect against the haze as they stroll along Kuching Waterfront. File Photo
KUCHING: Traders are urged not to make any unreasonable increase in the price of face masks during this haze period.
Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii said the people could lodge a report with the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs at Jalan Tun Jugah here if they came across traders selling the items at very high price.
“It is alright to make profit, but you must be reasonable. do not abuse it during this period.
“A surgical mask is sold at a controlled price of RM0.80 each (blue mask). The N98 mask (also controlled item) is priced at RM6. If any trader is found selling the items above the set price, please make a report with the ministry,” Dr Yii told a press conference at DAP headquarters here yesterday.
He added that all reports lodged must be accompanied with proper information, such as name of the shop, location, time of purchase and receipts. Reports can also be made via online at e-aduan.kpdnhep.gov.my.
On the haze, Dr Yii said he would visit the Indonesian Consulate General office here to add pressure on Indonesia to assist in curbing the haze coming from neighbouring Kalimantan that is enveloping the state.
“The focus is to put out forest fires which has been done through government-to-government initiative, and that Indonesia abide with the agreement to control transboundary haze.
“In August, the Malaysian government had a meeting with Brunei, Singapore and Indonesia to press Indonesia to control the fires but it did not happen,” he said.
On cloud seeding, Dr Yii said it could only be done if there are clouds, which are being monitored.
“Hopefully, there will be clouds in the next few days,but this is only a temporary measure. The main thing is to make sure that Indonesia put out their fires,” he said.
He also said that Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah had met with Indonesia’s ambassador to Malaysia, to inform them on the seriousness of the haze situation in the country, and also phone calls made between Minister of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Yeo Bee Yin and her Indonesian counterpart.