A TOTAL of RM650 million has been spent on the procurement of assets and medicines for Covid-19, Deputy Health Minister II Aaron Ago Dagang told the Dewan Rakyat today.

The Kanowit MP said the ministry has applied the emergency procurement process and appointed 182 suppliers, in response to a question from Liew Vui Keong (Batu Sapi-Warisan), who had asked about the procurement process for RM30 million in Covid-19 test kits, which have been linked to Health Minister Dr Adham Baba’s clinic.

“It is strange that the deputy minister is answering the question when the minister was in the House to answer a previous question.

“Why is the minister scared? What is there to be scared of?” asked Liew.

The former law minister went on to ask if proper audits will be conducted on all procurement processes to ensure transparency and that no proxies are involved.

He also drew attention to the MACC investigations into certain direct award contracts.

“I would like to ask for further explanation on whether the RM30 million procurement was linked to the honourable health minister.

“Maybe that is why he ran away from the Dewan Rakyat?” Liew asked.

Aaron responded that all procurement has to be sanctioned by the Finance Ministry, adding that Khazanah Jaya, in which Adham is accused of having business interests, was appointed to supply reagents for Covid-19 labs.

Adham has previously denied links to Khazanah Jaya, adding that he had no connection to the firm and did not have any relationship with its shareholders.

He also said in a statement on May 11 that he had not instructed his staff to approve the job awarded to Khazanah Jaya.

Graft watch group C4 alleged there were links between the contract parties and a shareholder in Adham’s company, which owns a chain of clinics in Johor. – July 28, 2020.