THE Public Accounts Committee’s (PAC) report on the procurement of ventilators supplied to the government during the Covid-19 pandemic has raised more questions than answers.
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.
Documents, including signed documents could have still been shared via WhatsApp.
If Pharmaniaga Logistics Sdn Bhd (PLSB) did not have the experience in the procurement of medical equipment, all the more, proper documentation should have been insisted upon for transparency and accountability.
How 104 out of 136 delivered ventilators were unusable without any party being held accountable demands a thorough explanation for the Malaysian public.
This 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.
Furthermore, it highlights the urgent need for robust emergency procurement policies to prevent the recurrence of such incidents in the future. – October 31, 2023
Dr Azizan Abdul Aziz is the President of the Malaysian Medical Association