PETALING JAYA: An additional RM200mil will be allocated for the Health Ministry to procure supplies such as reagents, screening kits and personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare frontliners, says Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.
The Finance Minister said this is in addition to the RM800mil already provided through the Malaysian Economic and Rakyat’s Protection Assistance Package (Permai) package in January this year.
Tengku Zafrul said the additional allocation was necessary as the Health Ministry ramps up its efforts to battle the worsening Covid-19 pandemic in the country.
From the RM800mil initially allocated, about RM318mil have been used up till April 2021, said Tengku Zafrul.
He also said that the stricter movement control order measures announced by Senior Minister (Security) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob were necessary to bring the Covid-19 cases under control.
“We need to keep the economy open to ensure that the livelihood of Malaysians is taken care of, ” added Tengku Zafrul in a virtual media briefing on Saturday (May 22).