Look into RM200 fake Covid-19 vaccination cert offer, authorities urged

KUALA LUMPUR – As if the health threat posed by anti-vaxxers is not enough, now irresponsible individuals may be selling fake Covid-19 digital vaccination certificates, prompting calls for the authorities to probe into the matter.

Twitter user @pedoqpop is the first to highlight the issue by sharing a message he received from an anonymous individual, who was offered the service by a friend for just RM200.

Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil in a tweet said this is a serious allegation that warrants a closer look and investigation.

He tagged police, National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme Coordinating Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, the National Security Council, MySejahtera and Covid-19 Vaccine Supply Access Guarantee Special Committee.

The issue comes as fully vaccinated folk begin to enjoy certain perks from today, as the government looks to provide some freedom to double-dose individuals following months of lockdown.

Senior Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein at a press conference yesterday urged the public to report to the authorities if they know of any individual using fake or falsified digital vaccination certificates.

“The government feels that such actions are not responsible, and people who do this need to be brought to justice to set an example for others.”

According to the message shared by @pedoqpop, the vaccination status of any individual can be adjusted on the MySejahtera app by insiders.

“One of my friends, who is an anti-vaxxer, tried to (influence) me by saying that the vaccine is dangerous and so on,” read the message by the unidentified person.

“Then, he admitted that he has an insider who can adjust the vaccine status on MySejahtera to say that you have been vaccinated, even if you haven’t.

“And guess what? The service charge is just RM200! I hope you can spread (the word) of the existence of such a service.”

The unknown individual also shared a screenshot of the conversation they had with their friend pertaining to the service.

Since it was uploaded late last night, @pedoqpop’s post has been retweeted more than 5,000 times. However, a check this morning showed that the tweet has been removed.

Muda co-founder Dr Thanussha Francis Xavier also urged the authorities to get to the bottom of the supposed scandal.

Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had on Sunday announced that fully inoculated individuals will be permitted to pray at places of worship and make interstate movement (for states under Phase 2 of the National Recovery Plan), among others. – The Vibes, August 10, 2021