KUCHING: The federal government has been urged not to allow only a single private healthcare company to provide COVID-19 screening tests at Malaysian airports.
Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said that the screening test service at the international airports in Malaysia had been monopolised by one company only.
With that, he said it would give the company the freedom to charge at its own will.
“Usually, the screening test costs between RM100 and RM200, but the tests at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and KLIA 2 are even more expensive and cost RM300 to RM400.
“Why is the government helping certain companies to reap big profits when the people’s economy is still unstable due to the pandemic?
“Who is making a profit in this monopoly business?” he questioned.
Tiong raised this issue in his debate speech during the Parliament session recently.
He then asked, “Why can’t the government implement an open concept by allowing Ministry of Health (MOH) certified companies or agencies to conduct the screening tests at the airports and let the market compete to set reasonable prices?
“Many students returning from various countries are affected by this situation, “Tiong said, adding that their parents were burdened as well.
