Former Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairperson Wong Kah Woh, who oversaw the investigation into the Covid-19 vaccine procurement, said it is not unusual for other agencies to probe further into an issue after the committee tabled its findings in Parliament.
The government had previously said it has found improprieties in the vaccine procurement and that details would be revealed in a White Paper to be tabled in the next Parliament session.
Wong’s (above) remarks come in the wake of former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin saying that the matter had been investigated by the PAC which found the procurement of the Covid-19 vaccine to be in order.
“It is not strange for any party, including the government, audit agencies or enforcement agencies, to conduct further investigations into any issue tabled in a PAC report to Parliament.
“Such follow-up actions are important in strengthening the PAC’s position as an important check and balance institution,” Wong said in a statement today.
‘New PAC can hold another review’
He added that the new PAC, as established by the current Parliament, can decide to hold proceedings for another review of the matter, based on the findings of the White Paper, if this is required.
The previous PAC panel presented its report on the Covid-19 vaccine procurement on Dec 1, 2021, and another report on follow-up actions on March 24, 2022.
In January 2021, Wong said the PAC was satisfied with the government’s plans to procure Covid-19 vaccines and would observe the non-disclosure agreements with the vaccine manufacturers.
Aside from Khairy, Marzuki Mohamad, the former principal private secretary to former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin, also dubbed the White Paper a “waste of time” as it was already cleared by the PAC.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had earlier said there were issues related to compliance, management and approval that did not follow procedures, as well as matters involving the cost and amount of vaccines.
The MACC launched a probe into Covid-19 procurements last year.
It is not clear if the minister Anwar referred to was former health minister Dr Adham Baba or his successor Khairy Jamaluddin.
Both Adham and Khairy have said they will cooperate with the MACC on the probe. - Mkini
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