HEALTH Minister Dr Adham Baba has rubbished claims by an anti-graft civil society group that he abused his power in the selection of contracts for supplies to the ministry.

He said the allegations by the Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Centre) have nothing to do with a company that held shares in his private practice.

“They are lies and slander,” he was quoted saying to Malaysiakini.

C4 Centre earlier today said the minister must explain whether he is involved in a RM30 million procurement scandal that is being investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.

MACC is investigating five companies directly appointed by the Health Ministry to supply testing equipment and protective gear.

It was reported on May 5 the five firms were summoned by MACC to facilitate investigations into contracts believed to be worth at least RM30 million. They involve the purchase of Covid-19 test kits, personal protective equipment and masks.

The probe follows former MP Wee Choo Keong’s claim that a company that received a contract was paid “lots of money upfront”, in addition to not being qualified for the job.

C4 Centre said a search on the Companies Commission of Malaysia website showed links between shareholders of a company offered a contract and another firm with shares in the minister’s private practice, Klinik Adham.

Adham had previously issued a statement to say that the ministry would cooperate with the MACC. – May 11, 2020.