SANDAKAN – Sabah DAP has questioned the state government’s “U-turn” over Covid-19 vaccine procurement.
The Sabah government had on May 27 signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Kanger International Bhd to obtain supplies of the Sinopharm vaccine, and speed up the state’s immunisation against Covid-19.
“I am perplexed with Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor’s response (as reported in The Borneo Post on June 16) saying that there is no need for the state to purchase its own vaccine(s) as Sabah has ample supply.
“In less than three weeks after signing a MoU with Kanger International to purchase the vaccine, the CM made a “U-turn”.
“I wonder if he has been assured by the federal government that there will be an ample and constant supply of vaccines to inoculate 30,000 people daily starting July,” said Sabah DAP acting chairman Datuk Frankie Poon in a statement.
“He used the word ‘predict’, what does that mean? Uncertainty and subjective?”
The Sinopharm vaccine is in the process of being registered with the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency.
Meanwhile, Poon also raised the issue of a Sabah recovery plan.
“Sabah has its own SOP (standard operating procedures) but where is the CM’S recovery plan for Sabah?
“We are dealing with the lives of the people in Sabah. They need assurances, clarity and certainty. We are all in this storm together and we should work collectively,” he said.
Poon also said that the people should be updated on Covid-19 statistics regarding the progress of vaccination in the state, number of vaccination centres and new Covid-19 variants.
“At least the people will know how well we are progressing in order for everyone to battle the pandemic,” he added. – The Vibes, June 18, 2021
