Speaking up: Dr Wee says he was responsible for the transport of the ventilators, but was not involved in their purchase.
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong has urged the Health Ministry to clarify his role in the procurement of ventilators during the Covid-19 crisis.
The Ayer Hitam MP, who was then the transport minister, said the directive about purchasing the ventilators had come from the National Security Council and Cabinet on March 20-25, 2020.
“I did not assist in the purchase of the ventilators. I was responsible only for helping to transport four things back – face masks, ventilators, intensive care unit beds and personal protective equipment,” he said while interjecting during Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa’s winding-up speech at the committee level of Budget 2024 in the Dewan Rakyat here yesterday.
Dr Wee said he had posted social media updates on the matter back then to inform the public that the items had arrived safely, and not because he was responsible for their purchase.
“You can read in the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report, former Health Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Chen Chaw Min said he had made the decision on the procurement of the ventilators.
“There was nothing to do with Wee Ka Siong,” he added.
On the PAC hearing in its probe of the issue on Sept 21, Dr Wee said although three hours were allocated for the panel to question him, it had taken him only 30 minutes to explain his role in the matter.
He said he was perplexed when queried by the PAC about the condition of the ventilators.
“It was only then that I knew some of the ventilators were not functioning,” he said.
He stressed that his role was only to deliver the items.
“My job was done. Mission accomplished.
“I want this to be (recorded in the minutes), and I want to defend myself. I will not let anything or anyone tarnish my image,” he added.
Dr Wee said he was speaking up after his name was mentioned by Chong Zhemin (PH-Kampar) eight times during the latter’s Budget 2024 speech yesterday.
Chong had said Dr Wee should not be blamed for the controversy involving the procurement of the ventilators.
