SCIENCE, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin today shared details on Putrajaya’s Covid-19 vaccine deals with Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

Health Minister Dr Adham Baba was also at the session, at which both ministers spoke about the pricing.

Khairy said they decided to reveal as much details as they could for the sake of transparency.

“In my testimony, I revealed the details of the contract with Pfizer and AstraZeneca to the PAC,” he said in a press conference after the meeting with the bipartisan committee.

He acknowledged concerns over the deals, which are bound by non-disclosure agreements (NDA).

On whether the disclosure of contract details will be considered a breach of the NDA, Khairy said this would not be the case as the PAC is part of the government.

“The privileged information was shared with public officials,” he added.

Meanwhile, PAC chairman Wong Kah Woh said in a separate statement that the committee is satisfied with the testimony of the two ministers, as well as by Health Director-General Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

“The proceedings were in line with the PAC’s wish to ensure transparency in government expenditure so that it benefits the people,” Wong said.

“Generally, NDAs should not hamper the duties and role of the PAC.

“In this matter, PAC will balance its role by carrying out legislative scrutiny within the clauses of the NDA to ensure there is no breach of the terms of agreement,” he said.

On another note, Khairy said the government will also consider vaccinating foreign workers and expatriates.

“We need to vaccinate them to ensure that we are all safe,” he said.

Details on the vaccine recipients and vaccination schedule will be decided in a joint meeting between the Human Resources, Home, and Foreign Ministries, he added.

Putrajaya has committed RM2.05 billion for the purchase of vaccines to inoculate 82.8% of the population against the coronavirus.

It has inked agreements with Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Covax and is negotiating with China’s Sinovac and CanSinoBIO, and Russia’s Gamaleya National Centre to buy more. – January 5, 2021.