DAP: Sans EO, how will National Trust Fund money be used for vaccination?

 

The DAP has urged Putrajaya to disclose details of how National Trust Fund (Kwan) monies were used for the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (NIP) and how the purported revocation of emergency ordinances would affect the plan.

In a statement today, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said Putrajaya has so far not revealed whether it has fully drawn RM5 billion from Kwan, as planned for the NIP.

Lim said Putrajaya should also explain whether the purported revocation of the Emergency (National Trust Fund) (Amendment) Ordinance 2021 would affect a full drawdown.

“The revocation of the emergency ordinances may result in the government having to find other sources of funding to make up for any shortfall of the RM5 billion,” he said.

According to Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, RM3 billion would be used for vaccine procurement while the balance would be used for related expenses.

At RM5 billion, the NIP would amount to 25.6 percent of Kwan’s asset value. Petronas - Kwan’s sole funder - has channelled RM10.4 billion since 1988.

Under Section 6(a) and (b) of the National Trust Fund Act 1988, the fund can only be used for development purposes and the granting of loans to governments.

Prior to 2021, the fund has been tapped only once.

The Emergency (National Trust Fund) (Amendment) Ordinance 2021 introduced Section 6(c), which allowed the money to be used for the Covid-19 response.

If the ordinance was legitimately revoked, Section 6(c) would no longer apply.

Putrajaya has yet to confirm whether the revocation of the emergency ordinances - seven in all promulgated this year - have received the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s consent.

As of 4.45pm today, there has been no federal gazettes stating that the ordinances were indeed nullified.

Since Monday, opposition MPs have been harassing the executive in the Dewan Rakyat over why the ordinances were not debated and voted on as required under Article 150(3) of the Federal Constitution and the June 29 decree by the Agong.

Lawyers have warned that the ambiguity over the ordinances will cause problems for law enforcement. Should the ordinances not be revoked, by Parliament or otherwise, they can still be in effect for six months following the expiry of the state of emergency. - Mkini