Make masks tax-deductible

THE government should consider making the purchase of face masks tax-deductible.

There are approximately nine million households in Malaysia, each having an average of four persons (Selected Demographics Indicators Malaysia, 2018, Department Statistics Malaysia). Using this figure, a household would have to spend RM120 per month or RM600 until year end (Aug 1, when wearing of face mask in public areas was made compulsory, to Dec 31) to purchase disposable face masks, assuming each piece costs RM1.