Was the Penang vaccine donation offer confirmed by Sinovac China?

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Sinovac China Did Not Confirm the Penang Vaccine Donation Offer

Sinovac China has confirmed it had no dealings with Xintai Development Enterprise Ltd, the entity that purportedly offered two million doses of the Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine to Penang. This confirmation by the vaccine manufacturer indicates that the donation offer was not validated through official channels. Consequently, the offer, made by a businessman named Yong Chee Kong, has been widely regarded as bogus.
No Direct Contact with Pharmaniaga

Pharmaniaga Bhd, the exclusive distributor of the Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine in Malaysia, stated that the businessman, Yong Chee Kong, and his purported company, Xintai Development Enterprise Ltd, never contacted them regarding any vaccine purchase or donation. Managing director Datuk Zulkarnain Md Eusope clarified that neither his company nor the businessman had initiated any communication. This lack of engagement with the official distributor further casts doubt on the legitimacy of the offer.
Government Scrutiny of the Offer

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, who also oversees the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme, indicated that initial investigations suggested the donation offer was not genuine. His ministry's checks, including confirmation from Sinovac China, revealed no official connection to Xintai Development Enterprise Ltd. The police have also recorded a statement from Yong Chee Kong in relation to the matter, following reports lodged in Penang.
Standard Vaccine Acquisition Processes

In general, the acquisition or donation of vaccines typically involves direct engagement with the manufacturer or their appointed official distributors, who are then responsible for verifying the legitimacy of the offer and coordinating with national regulatory bodies. Government agencies are usually involved in vetting and approving such proposals to ensure the integrity and safety of the vaccine supply chain. Offers that bypass these established protocols, as appears to be the case with the Penang vaccine donation, are subject to rigorous scrutiny.

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Was the Penang vaccine donation offer confirmed by Sinovac China?

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