THE RM3 billion for Covid-19 vaccines will go into the government’s fund for the management of the coronavirus epidemic, said Khairy Jamaluddin.

“The RM3 billion figure is based on a spectrum of prices offered by several countries. There is no exact estimate at this time,” the science, technology and innovation minister said during question time in the Dewan Rakyat today.

“I have, nevertheless, asked the Finance Ministry to set aside RM3 billion for this and the finance minister has said that it will be placed in the Covid-19 special fund.”

Parliament passed the Temporary Measures for Government Funding (Covid-19) Bill in August for Covid-related expenditure including aid for the people and economic stimulus packages.

Khairy (Rembau-BN) was responding to Chan Foong Hin (Kota Kinabalu-PH) who asked why the RM3 billion fund was not in Budget 2021.

Khairy said Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz will explain the issue of the “missing” fund in his winding-up speech later this month.

The Dewan Rakyat is currently debating the supply bill for 2021 and MPs have pointed out that the RM3 billion fund is not noted in the bill that was tabled by Tengku Zafrul on November 6.

Khairy said the World Health Organisation has listed 11 vaccines which are undergoing Phase 3 clinical trials. 

“The government has communicated with 10 of the vaccine producers.”

He said Putrajaya is negotiating with the companies and that an announcement will be made after contracts are signed. – November 16, 2020.