ALOR STAR – A total of RM5 billion in National Trust Fund (KWAN) monies will be used for the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme, with RM3 billion for vaccine procurement and RM2 billion to implement the scheme.
Its coordinating minister, Khairy Jamaluddin, however, said usage details on the funds will be answered by the Finance Ministry and not him.
“I’m spending the money and the funds are not coming from my ministry. The ‘fund-giver’ has to answer for where the money is from. I just use it. The RM5 billion is the ceiling decided by the Finance Ministry.
“I will answer in detail later (on its use) in a media statement... but simply put, it amounts to RM5 billion, (that is) RM3 billion for the purchase of vaccines and RM2 billion for the implementation of immunisation programmes,” he said after a meeting with Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.
Khairy said the total expenditure linked to the immunisation programme included the provision of facilities, such as renting halls, payment of utilities and provision of food, as well as staff allowances.
“Like today, I’m in Kedah, and the menteri besar asked me for funds (for the implementation of the immunisation programme); where am I going to take it from? If RM3 billion is used to buy vaccines, the implementation of the programme cannot be done for free.”
Less than a week ago, the government approved amendments to the National Trust Fund (KWAN) Act 1988 (Act 339), which allows funds to be used for the procurement of vaccines and any expenditure incurred in relation to the vaccines.
This was based on the Emergency (National Trust Fund) (Amendment) Ordinance 2021, which came into operation today, through the Federal Government Gazette published by the Attorney-General’s Chambers on April 21.
The ordinance, amended in Section 6, was promulgated by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, on April 14 pursuant to Clause (2B) of Article 150 of the federal constitution.
The new subsection allows for “the procurement of vaccines and any expenditure incurred in relation to the vaccines for an epidemic of any infectious disease as specified under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342)”.
On January 12, Istana Negara had, in a statement, announced that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong consented to the proclamation of emergency to be implemented nationwide until August 1, as a proactive measure to curb the spread of Covid-19 in the country. – The Vibes, April 26, 2021
