PETALING JAYA: Data openness and access are key to better governance and integrity in the nation’s Covid-19 response, said an anti-corruption activist.
Akhbar Satar, president of the Malaysian Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, urged the government to be more transparent and proactive when it came to data and information on Covid-19.
“Make the data available to all stakeholders, including the media, public and NGOs, so that everyone is well informed,” he said at the 7th Annual Economic and Financial Policy Symposium today.
Akhbar also called for frequent press briefings as there was too much misinformation and fake news on the pandemic, adding to confusion.
On vaccine procurement, he said contracts should be awarded to companies that were reliable and had a good track record.
“The purchase of vaccines is a business and the government needs to conduct due diligence so that contracts are awarded to the right companies.
“A guideline on emergency procurement of vaccines should also be created as a short-term solution. As for the long term, there should be an ethical framework for decision-making in times of an emergency by creating legislation,” said the former Transparency International Malaysia president.
Akhbar also recommended for regular audits to be conducted, adding that a specialised oversight body would achieve greater transparency.
“The US government has a specific oversight body – an epidemic response accountability committee – to look at all government spending.
“Audit reports should also be made publicly available where possible,” he said.