KUALA LUMPUR – The government must explain why it has yet to administer more than two million Covid-19 vaccine doses that are still in storage, said opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Anwar pointed to recent Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry data, which showed that the country has received a total of 7,575,609 vaccine doses as of June 9.
He said a statement by Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba revealed that a total of 4,361,358 doses have been given to the people as of yesterday.
“I received information that there are two million vaccines that are still in storage and yet to be distributed,” he said in a video posted on his Facebook profile today.
“What is the problem? People are dying. I repeat, people are dying from infections related to Covid-19 at around 500 people a week. Why delay the distribution of vaccines?”
He said an explanation is needed as the people are burdened by the full lockdown imposed under the latest movement control order (MCO).
On the current death toll, Anwar, who is also Port Dickson MP, said the fatality rate is at “worrying levels” as the number has multiplied several times over the past few months.
He said by January, the country had recorded 500 deaths in the span of six weeks, but at present, it recorded the same number of deaths in the span of six days.
“This contradicts the statement by the leaders and respective officers who are optimistic on the situation, which is supposedly improving and being brought under control.”
The positivity rate presented by the government also does not reflect the actual situation, he added.
“If we conduct fewer tests, the positive rates will be lower. If we do more tests, then the numbers will be higher. But there has not been any answer that is satisfying.
“It is currently showing a huge dip, but that is merely to indicate that the numbers are lower.”
He said this meant that the current state of emergency is a political ploy that has not made any impact.
“I understand politicians who want to survive, but it is regretted that professionals are also playing along and being complicit by giving excuses that are boring and veers away from data and science.”
Without a clear direction and complete data, he added, the country will continue to be placed under the MCO, which is a burden to the people.
“There are many people who are struggling to put food on the table.” – The Vibes, June 13, 2021
