PAC can demand Pharmaniaga reveal true cost of Covid-19 vaccines, says Dzulkefly

June 13, 2023

PAC can demand Pharmaniaga reveal true cost of Covid-19 vaccines, says Dzulkefly

PETALING JAYA: Government backbencher Dzulkefly Ahmad (PH-Kuala Selangor) has demanded the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) inquire about the true cost behind Pharmaniaga Berhad’s Covid-19 vaccines purchased by Putrajaya.

During the debate on the health ministry’s white paper on vaccine procurement, Dzulkefly said that six states had to purchase the vaccines at a high price.

“I want the minister to answer on the undisclosed financial matters. I know that a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) is something that we must adhere to but I think, for the PAC, it should be disclosed.

“PAC is a body that has constitutional powers and has locus standi in the parliamentary institution. The information should be given so it can make a complete, accurate and critical assessment,” he said.

Dzulkefly, who was the health minister under the former Pakatan Harapan (PH) government, added that the white paper did not disclose the cost of the vaccines.

The health ministry had formed the white paper on the Covid-19 vaccine task force following Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s statement that the government found the purchase of the vaccines did not follow procedure and had been signed off by the minister without the Attorney-General’s Chambers’ (AGC) agreement.

Health minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa previously said the white paper was not a fault-finding mission but to improve the country’s health system.

She has also urged all MPs to back the bill.