Anwar Where Is The Rm3 Billion For Covid 19 Vaccine Promised In Budget 2021

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Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has raised questions over allocations in Budget 2021 for the health sector, as it does not take into account Covid-19 vaccination. - - NSTP/AIZUDDIN SAADKUALA LUMPUR: Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has raised questions over allocations in Budget 2021 for the health sector, as it does not take into account Covid-19 vaccination.
"We couldn't find the (details on the) RM3 billion supposedly allocated for the vaccine, as announced by the government in the Budget (tabled in the Dewan Rakyat). Instead, we only found allocations set aside for other.
"If the vaccine has yet to be developed, how could the government estimate its expenditure, hence making a forecast on the country's economic growth (as per Budget 2021)?" he said in his debate speech on Budget 2021 in Dewan Rakyat today.
Anwar also urged the Finance Ministry to ensure a more transparent tender process and competitive prices for public health procurements.
Fahmi Fadzil (PH-Lembah Pantai) interjected, suggesting that the much-criticised RM85.5 million allocation for the Special Affairs Department (Jasa) be channelled to non-health frontliners instead.
Anwar also suggested that RM19 billion from the development allocation should be transferred to the Covid-19 fund, as public health and job security should be the main focus for the government.
He also repeated calls for an extension of the moratorium on bank loans, which would increase the people's disposable income and in turn help raise private consumption.
Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad (PH-Kuala Selangor) said some of the operational expenditure (opex) allocation was transferred to capital expenditure (capex) under Budget 2021.
In tabling the 2021 Budget on Friday, Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz said the government is committed to acquiring Covid-19 vaccines through its participation in Covid-19 Vaccine Global Access (Covax), at an estimated cost of RM3 billion.
The Health Ministry received RM27.2 billion for opex, and RM4.7 billion for capex under Budget 2021. - NST

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