Profiteers break our unity

The recent haze situation has led to certain individuals stockpiling N95 masks and selling them at exorbitant prices — in some cases twice and even three times the original amount. In some cases, storeowners simply paste new prices tags over old ones. Others have taken to social media to advertise their goods.

Such individuals only fuel panic buying as well as the speculation that there is a shortage of masks. While it would be unreasonable to expect privately-owned stores to simply give the N95 masks away freely, it is only reasonable to see them pegged at the same price it was before the haze, and if I may be so bold, sold at a slight discount, so that people can afford them, be they rich or poor.

The argument of “buyer-willing, seller-willing” in this case is flawed and unethical. There are people who really need the masks, such as the elderly and people at-risk such as asthmatics. Should they be unable to afford the masks, does that mean they should continue to expose themselves to the haze without proper protection and sacrifice their health?

Profiteering will only continue if the relevant authorities do nothing to address it. Times of crisis oftentimes test the mettle of a country as well as the unity of the people. Profiteers who think only of themselves and personal gain will ultimately break whatever unity we have.