By Norrasyidah Arshad
SHAH ALAM, March 3 — The Federal government has been asked to reduce the ceiling price of Covid-19 saliva self-test kits to under RM5, as a move to reduce the people's burden.
Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil said the usage of such kits has become routine in society, to ensure one remains free of Covid-19.
"Dewan Rakyat MPs have the convenience of claiming back (from Parliament) any purchase of self-test kits. It is unreasonable for us to benefit but not for the people who always use it before going to their workplaces or schools.
"So I ask for a reduction of the prices and keeping the ceiling price to under RM5 to be considered. RM4.90 is reasonable, but if it is in the double digits like RM10, then that is too expensive," he said during the Dewan Rakyat sitting earlier today.
The PKR communications director added the RM1,000 tax rebate for purchasing kits are not being used by the lower-income groups.
The issue has been raised several times, most notably yesterday when several Pakatan members, including Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim and Rasah MP Cha Kee Chin.
In September last year, the Federal government set the maximum retail ceiling price for Covid-19 saliva self-test kits to RM19.90.
