Umno MP queries if middleman involved in latest vaccine deal

 

A private company has been reported to have ordered an initial 100,000 doses of vaccines from China. (AP pic)

PETALING JAYA: Umno’s Tajuddin Abdul Rahman has questioned the finance minister’s assurance that the procurement of Covid-19 vaccines would be carried out only through government-to-government and government-to-manufacturer transactions.

Tajuddin said the latest deal involving a private company in Malaysia showed a middleman may be involved despite Tengku Zafrul Aziz’s assurance in the Dewan Rakyat at its last meeting.

The Pasir Salak MP was referring to Bioalpha Holdings Sdn Bhd, which has signed a deal with Shanghai Bukun Trading Co Ltd (SBTC) for the procurement and distribution of Covid-19 vaccines in Malaysia.

The Star reported yesterday that the deal involves an initial 100,000 doses of vaccines by SBTC’s Sinovac Life Sciences Co Ltd, with subsequent orders going up to one million doses.

Tajuddin Abdul Rahman.

Tajuddin said private companies should not make money from Covid-19.

“Tengku Zafrul had said no (private) party will be involved. Only governments are to be involved in the procurements,” he told FMT.

He said Bioalpha is buying an initial 100,000 doses for foreign workers as employers are asking for the vaccine.

“It is not for the private sector to do business in the vaccine. They should be talking to the health ministry,” he said.

He asked if the government had changed its stand after Tengku Zafrul’s assurance, adding that Putrajaya should not entertain the private sector’s involvement in the purchase of vaccines.

“Once they (private sector) gain control of the vaccines, how do we know if they will use it only for foreign workers?” he said, implying that they may sell them to others for profit.

Tajuddin also said a number of Covid-19 cases were from glove factories and they should be contributing to the government to pay for vaccines meant for the general public.

“They are making billions of ringgit. They should contribute some percentage of their profits as part of their corporate social responsibility,” he said.

The Star had quoted Bioalpha managing director William Hon as saying the government would be providing the vaccines free of charge to citizens.

He said the company had been receiving queries from the corporate sector interested in inoculating their employees, including foreign workers. - FMT