KUALA LUMPUR – A total of 9.6 million people, or 30% of Malaysia’s population, are expected to be vaccinated against Covid-19 next year, said Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today.
The prime minister said the government has signed two agreements for the procurement of vaccines.
Yesterday, he announced that Putrajaya has inked a preliminary purchase agreement with pharmaceutical company Pfizer for 12.8 million doses to meet the immunisation needs of 20% of the Malaysian population, or 6.4 million people.
“Apart from the agreement with Pfizer, the government has also signed an agreement with the Covax facility to get Covid-19 vaccines to meet the immunisation needs of 10% of Malaysians.
“God willing, we will receive the supply in stages beginning the first quarter of next year,” he said in his policy speech at the Bersatu annual general assembly, which is being held virtually.
The party president said he is confident that with the vaccines and continued efforts to break the chain of infection, the country will contain the coronavirus and see its economy revived.
He stressed the importance of collaborative efforts between countries in the region to fight the disease and resuscitate the economy, as well as ensure equitable access to vaccines.
Muhyiddin expressed hope that Budget 2021, which was passed at the policy stage on Thursday, will be voted through all the way to the Dewan Negara to ensure the goal of extending aid to those in need is achieved.
“Some people feel that Budget 2021 should be rejected to force a general election. There is no necessity for this.
“Even yesterday I might have advised the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to dissolve Parliament to pave the way for a general election. But we all know the problem is Covid-19.”
He said the government will return the mandate to the people via elections when the pandemic is over.
“If permitted by Allah, when the Covid-19 pandemic ends, we will have a general election.” – Bernama, November 28, 2020
