May 27, 2022
PETALING JAYA: Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman Wong Kah Woh says he has informed Auditor-General Nik Azman Nik Abdul Majid to conduct a special audit on government procurement and expenditure for medical services during the Covid-19 pandemic.
This comes as Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief Azam Baki revealed on Tuesday the anti-graft agency had opened investigations into alleged bribery in the procurement of medical services, fraud related to the supply of personal protective equipment (PPE), and abuse of power in distributing aid and stimulus packages during the pandemic.
In a statement today, Wong said the national audit department will also look into the alleged abuse of power as claimed by Azam.
“This special audit should be done immediately, with the findings presented to the PAC so that it can identify if there was any misappropriation, wastage, or abuse of power in the procurement of medical services,” he said.
Wong added that the PAC takes a serious view of the MACC investigation, which Azam revealed for the first time during an anti-corruption forum on Tuesday.
Pointing out that the PAC is tasked with inspecting government spending and ensuring that it complies with the relevant laws, regulations, and contractual terms, Wong said the PAC will not compromise if any parties were found to be involved in profiteering.
Wong said the PAC will be summoning MACC, the finance ministry, and other relevant ministries and agencies to brief the committee regarding the matter.
Dr Adham Baba, who was the health minister when the pandemic first hit Malaysia in early 2020, admitted on Wednesday that many procurements were done without going through the normal procedures.
“We used emergency procurements because there was an urgent need for many things to be done quickly,” he was quoted as saying in Bernama.
“Some orders required us to make deposit payments which did not go through the usual processes. There are things that I am aware of and as the (health) minister at that time, I advised them,” he said, adding that he was ready to cooperate with the MACC.
Wong’s statement comes after DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook urged the PAC to call in Azam to provide more information on MACC’s investigation.
Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has also pushed for MACC to reveal the identities of those allegedly involved in the fraudulent procurement process.
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