[UPDATED] ‘Minister’ signed off on vaccine procurement sans AGC approval: Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR – It appears that parts of the Covid-19 vaccine procurement were done without prior approval from the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC).

This was revealed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who said today that the purchases were signed off by a “minister” not in accordance with government procedure. 

He told a press conference that Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa will table a white paper on the dubious procurement process in the coming Parliament session this month. 

“She will give the details,” Anwar said after chairing a cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office in Putrajaya today. 

“Suffice it for me to say that we decided on the presentation of the white paper primarily because of the findings by the (health) ministry and law minister on irregularities and transactions or approvals given without following due process.

“Some of the procurements were questionable, in terms of the numbers and costs,” he added. 

When asked which minister he was referring to, Anwar said: “It’s not a question of any particular minister, but the ministers involved will have to answer or explain.”

Malaysia’s Covid-19 vaccination programme, which is the country’s largest immunisation drive, began in early 2021 when Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba and Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz were the health and finance ministers respectively. 

However, then science, technology and innovation minister Khairy Jamaluddin was appointed by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as the coordinating minister for the vaccination programme.  

Khairy was latter appointed as health minister in August 2021 after Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri became the new prime minister. 

The former Umno leader had previously in January 2021 testified before the Public Accounts Committee on the process and estimated cost of the Covid-19 vaccine procurement, later adding that he was willing to be questioned again should there be a necessity. 

Another Pulau Batu Puteh white paper 

Meanwhile, Anwar said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said will be tabling a separate white paper on the issues revolving the sovereignty of Pulau Batu Puteh. 

This is after a decision made by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in 2018 to withdraw a review application saw Singapore being granted legal jurisdiction over the outlying island. 

Anwar explained that today’s cabinet meeting had deliberated in length on the measures to be taken pertaining to the matter, adding that the government will leave it to the wisdom of Parliament to decide on the next course of action. 

“The problem is the special task force probing the issue has objected to the decision not to file an appeal, causing us to lose part of our territory. This is a huge problem anywhere in the world. 

“I have explained to Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong that (our action) will not affect the good bilateral ties or the status of the Pulau Batu Puteh. However, we are pushing for action against the one that is deemed to have violated due process.” 

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) had in 2008 ruled that Pulau Batu Puteh, or Pedra Branca, belonged to Singapore while the uninhabited Middle Rocks is Malaysia’s. 

In 2017, Malaysia applied filed a review application requesting the ICJ an interpretation of the judgement. However, a year later, Mahathir withdrew the appeal ahead of a scheduled hearing for the case on June 11, 2018. 

Two weeks ago, Attorney-General Tan Sri Idrus Harun said the decision to withdraw the application was irregular and inappropriate. 

On a separate matter, Anwar said Malaysia will be donating RM10 million to Turkiye and Syria to assist with relief measures after a massive earthquake jolted the nations, with the death toll now standing at over 9,000. 

The premier said in total, the federal government and Johor’s Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar will donate US$1 million each (RM4.3 million), while the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council will make further contributions. 

Additionally, he said Malaysia will also mobilise a second group of 70 search-and-rescue personnel to Turkiye to provide assistance, adding that the complicated situation concerning Syria meant it is more difficult to move manpower there. – The Vibes, February 8, 2023