KUALA LUMPUR – The government must consider capping the retail price of Covid-19 RTK-Antigen and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test kits at no more than RM5 per kit to make them more affordable and accessible, especially for the B40 community.
Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil said while taxpayers could claim up to RM1,000 tax relief for Covid-19 tests in 2021 filing, the government should also look into individuals from B40 families whose income may not fall within the tax bracket, hence ineligible for making any claims.
“The government need to set the retail ceiling price of Covid-19 self-test kits at affordable rates, especially for the B40 groups.
“The cost can be high for those who have to perform the test often before heading for work or school.
“Therefore, I urge the government to consider reducing and putting a ceiling price on this test kit at around RM5 or RM4.90.
“If each kit cost more than RM10, it is too expensive especially for those who are not eligible to pay taxes,” he told the Dewan Rakyat today.
The government had announced the latest ceiling price for Covid-19 self-test kits at RM19.90 per kit, while RM16 was for wholesale purchases, effective Sept 5 last year.
On Nov 1, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi was reported as saying that the ministry had permitted the self-test kits to be sold at a lower price of RM6.90 per kit.
Some kits were sold within the ceiling price and even lower than RM6.90 on several online supermarkets and convenience stores, as well other online shopping platforms like Shopee and Grab.
On another matter, Fahmi said many flood victims had not received the much-needed relief of RM2,500 cash aid from the government.
“A total of 155 people affected by the December floods in Lembah Pantai, for instance, have yet to receive the aid until this day.”
Source: NEW STRAITS TIMES
