KUALA LUMPUR – Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin (Rembau-BN) has rubbished Tan Sri Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah’s (Gua Musang-BN) claim that the purchase, distribution and storage of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine alone will cost the government RM3 billion.
In a statement today, Tengku Razaleigh said this would eat up the government’s entire allocation for the procurement of Covid-19 vaccines next year, but would only cover 20% of the population.
Khairy said in the Dewan Rakyat that the claim made by his fellow Umno lawmaker is baseless.
“I can categorically state in this Dewan that the statement is without basis and is not true at all,” he said in his ministry’s committee stage winding-up speech for Budget 2021 today.
Khairy, however, did not disclose the amount that would be spent on Pfizer vaccines due to a non-disclosure agreement between the government and the pharmaceuticals company.
He added that the RM3 billion will cover the cost for the global vaccine development platform Covax Facility.
“Our agreements with Pfizer and Covax are way, way within our reach of RM3 billion for 70% of the population,” he said.
On questions why the RM3 billion is not included in the ministry’s budget allocation despite it overseeing the procurement, Khairy said it would be placed under the special Covid-19 Fund.
Earlier, Tengku Razaleigh called on the government to come clean on its decision to buy Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccines, saying the purchase alone would cost RM2 billion to cover 20% of the population.
“The cost for the special storage and distribution facilities required to keep the vaccine refrigerated at -80°C could be another RM1 billion.”
Pfizer has said its vaccine needs to be stored at -70°C.
“Would there be additional costs involved in filling and finishing the vaccine locally?” – The Vibes, December 7, 2020
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