Transcripts released in a recent PAC report on vaccine procurement showed that in January, Khairy had told the PAC that Muhyiddin, who was the prime minister then, “misspoke” when he said the government would vaccinate 6.4 million people at a cost of RM3 billion.

The PAC had said in its report that Muhyiddin’s statement had led to confusion as the RM468 cost per person towered above the figure leaked from Belgium that said the European nation was paying just RM82.40 per person.

However, in a statement today Khairy said the reports used by Wong from Dec 13, 2020 on vaccine prices were inaccurate and that he had since compared them with the full transcript of Muhyiddin’s speech at the time.

“The reports used by Wong were from Berita Harian and The Straits Times. The error in the reports had not been corrected and can still be accessed today,” he said.

Wong said the issue of incorrect quotes in the articles did not arise during the PAC discussions.

“The PAC had given the minister the opportunity to clarify the issue and the answer given by the minister himself during the proceedings was very clear – he had checked with the PMO (Prime Minister’s Office) on it,” Wong told FMT.

“The minister said he had checked with the PMO and it was confirmed that Muhyiddin misspoke.”

Referring to transcripts of the PAC’s proceedings, he said Khairy had clearly stated four times that Muhyiddin misspoke.

“The minister also said the PMO corrected (Muhyiddin’s statement) later, and would furnish a copy of the clarification to PAC. Why did the minister mention about a correction if it was a ‘misquoted report’?” Wong asked.