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MMA president Dr Azizan Abdul Aziz said the report raises more questions than answers, including on the procurement of ventilators supplied to the government.
“How 104 out of 136 delivered ventilators were unusable without any party being held accountable demands a thorough explanation for the Malaysian public,” she said in a statement.
Azizan said the issue not only involves a substantial amount of public funds, but may also have significantly impacted the management of severe Covid-19 cases in the country.
“It is imperative that this issue is not brushed aside, and we must insist on complete accountability,” she said, adding that it highlights the urgent need for robust emergency procurement policies to prevent such incidents from recurring.
The PAC report found that even though Pharmaniaga Logistics Sdn Bhd lacked experience and expertise in procuring medical equipment such as ventilators, it was instructed to make an upfront payment for the ventilators due to its “existing relationship with the health ministry”.
The report, released yesterday, also stated that the absence of a written agreement between the ministry and Pharmaniaga Logistics has resulted in a lack of accountability regarding the non-functioning 104 ventilator units.
“To date, the uncertainty surrounding the company’s role in this matter has hindered the legal action process from being carried out,” it said.
The PAC also found discrepancies in the information provided by the health ministry and Pharmaniaga Logistics on the warranties for 136 ventilator units.
Azizan said if Pharmaniaga Logistics did not have the experience needed in the procurement of medical equipment, proper documentation should have been insisted upon for transparency and accountability.
“The dealings for the procurement of ventilators may have taken place at a most extraordinary time. However, if the usual procurement process was not possible, at the very least, proper documentation should have been insisted upon,” she said.
“Documents, including signed documents, could have still been shared via WhatsApp.”
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