‘New PAC can probe vaccine purchase again’

PETALING JAYA: The actions of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in approving the Covid-19 vaccine procurement can be reviewed by the soon-to-be-formed new PAC.

Taiping MP Wong Kah Woh, who was chairman of the 14th PAC, said it was not uncommon for any other party to conduct further investigations into any issues presented by the PAC in Parliament.

He was commenting on Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah’s statement that the ministry had presented everything on the vaccine procurement to the 14th PAC.

“We have answered on this matter to the PAC. There were 512 pages and the then PAC chairman (Wong) had made announcements on this,” he said when asked about the government’s decision to further investigate the Covid-19 vaccine procurements.

Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa will present a White Paper on the matter to Parliament.

Wong said the new PAC was welcome to probe the matter based on the White Paper.

“It is not uncommon for any party, including the government, audit agencies or authorities to conduct further investigations on matters presented in PAC reports in Parliament.

“Such follow-up actions can further establish the position of PAC as a vital check-and-balance institution.

“The 14th PAC had conducted the proceedings on the issue of the Covid-19 vaccine procurement and its use for Malaysians. We presented the PAC report (on procurement) on Dec 1, 2021, and another PAC report on further actions on March 24, 2022.

“The 15th PAC, which will be established by Parliament, will be able to decide whether to further investigate the issue of Covid-19 vaccine procurement,” he said.

When asked to comment on the government’s new investigation on Wednesday, Dr Noor Hisham said it was not for the Health Ministry to answer.

“Should we answer, it would be undermining the authority of PAC. We have presented everything to PAC,” he replied.