RM5 billion from trust fund for vaccines, immunisation-related expenses, says Khairy

The use of RM5 billion from the National Trust Fund (KWAN) is for vaccine procurement and expenses related to the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme, minister Khairy Jamaluddin said today.

Khairy, who is in charge of the country’s vaccination programme, said the amount includes vaccine procurement involving an allocation of RM3 billion, and RM2 billion for the implementation of the immunisation programme.

“In terms of the use of KWAN funds, the matter will be answered by the finance ministry. I am a user (of the funds), not a provider. The provider of the funds will answer where it took the money from.

“I will answer in detail later (on its use) in a press statement… but to look at in a simple way, it is RM5 billion, (that is) RM3 billion for the purchase of vaccines and RM2 billion for the implementation of the immunisation programme,” he said at a press conference in Alor Setar today.

He had been asked to comment on the government’s recent move to gazette the Emergency (National Trust Fund) (Amendment) Ordinance 2021, which allows the government to use the funds for vaccine procurement and expenses related to the immunisation programme.

Khairy said the total expenditure related to the immunisation programme, including the provision of facilities such as renting halls, utility payments and food preparation, as well as the payment of allowances to staff involved.

“For example, today I came to Kedah, the menteri besar of Kedah asked money from me (for the implementation of the immunisation programme) – where do we get the money from? After RM3 billion has been used to buy vaccines, the implementation of the programme will be carried out for free?”

He added that RM5 billion is the limit decided by the finance ministry for this purpose so far.