Some traders selling face masks at high prices

JOHOR BARU: Suppliers and traders should not take advantage of the Sungai Kim Kim chemical pollution in Pasir Gudang to unreasonably raise the prices of goods, says State Women Development and Tourism Committee chairman Liow Cai Tung.

She said feedback from the government agencies and the public showed that there was a shortage of National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health-certified N95 respirators.

“Pharmacies are running out of these face masks,” she said in a press statement.

Liow said there were those who were taking advantage of the situation by buying these masks in bulk and reselling them individually at exorbitant prices.

“It is an irresponsible act to take advantage of the situation, and we urge suppliers and traders to support the Pasir Gudang residents and the government in handling the incident,’’ she said.

She said the R95 face masks were sought after as they were the most suitable protective gear to filter oilbased particles, but they needed to be replaced frequently.

She also advised the public not to believe any fake news about the incident circulated on social media.

“We hope that the culprits will receive severe punishments because their irresponsible act has caused unnecessary inconvenience to the Pasir Gudang residents,’’ said Liow.

She said the state government was grateful to the personnel from the relevant agencies and departments at the state and federal levels for their commitment in handling the situation, as well as those from the non-governmental organisations.