Parts of vax procurement signed off without AGC’s approval, says PM

In March 2022, the government said about RM4.72 billion had been spent on Covid-19 vaccines for Malaysia’s adult, teenage and children population, with orders placed for 88.1 million doses at the time.

(FMT) – Some parts of the procurement of Covid-19 vaccines were signed off by the relevant minister without the agreement of the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC), says Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

At a press conference here today, Anwar said the health ministry will table a white paper on the procurement of the vaccines and the costs incurred.

He said parts of the procurement did not follow procedure.

“The white paper will be coordinated by the health minister (Dr Zaliha Mustafa),” he said.

“We decided on this white paper primarily because of the findings by the (health) ministry and law minister on the irregularities in transactions and approvals given not according to due process.

“And the procurement sum is questionable, in terms of the numbers and the costing. But she (Zaliha) will present this to Parliament at the coming meeting.”

Anwar said the ministers involved will have to answer over the matter.

In March 2022, the government said about RM4.72 billion had been spent on Covid-19 vaccines for Malaysia’s adult, teenage and children population, with orders placed for 88.1 million doses at the time.

The Public Accounts Committee had reportedly investigated the procurement of the vaccines in 2021.

It was reportedly set to summon then vaccine coordinating minister Khairy Jamaluddin and then finance minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz to answer queries on the procurement.

FMT has reached out to Khairy for comment.