KUALA LUMPUR – The government is mulling taking serious action against parties found to have jumped the queue during the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme.
Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said vaccine equity is important among the people, especially frontliners, and reiterated the point of allowing those in the deserved category to receive the jab first as set by the Health Ministry.
“I have reiterated this to other politicians, including my own colleagues.
“As far as their wives and children are concerned, they will have to wait like everybody else. Only elected representatives are given priority.
“I have brought this issue up with the prime minister and proposed a severe fine for those caught jumping the queue,” he said during a Facebook Live session organised by medical non-governmental organisation Medtweetmy this evening.
Khairy was responding to Putrajaya Hospital nephrologist Dr Rafidah Abdullah’s query on plans by the government to ensure fair distribution for frontliners, following complaints that certain VIPs – including ministers, as well as assemblymen and their officers – are allegedly included in Phase 1 of the vaccination drive.
She alleged that these individuals are given priority at the expense of frontline workers, including pregnant and breastfeeding women, private dentists and pharmacists, among others.
Dr Rafidah, who was also the event moderator, has highlighted this issue in a Facebook post.
Khairy said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba will likely be the authority that will impose such action against “queue-jumpers”.
“I am always concerned over this matter. The issue of vaccine equity is pivotal, as we see many developed nations taking more than their fair share of shot supplies compared with their underdeveloped counterparts.
“Thankfully, Malaysia has secured a fair share of the vaccine for its people.
“As such, I do not want an issue to emerge where undeserving VIPs are prioritised before frontliners. I will stress this during my meeting with the health minister tomorrow morning.”
Earlier, Khairy had tweeted: “To be clear, elected representatives are included in Phase 1. However, VVIPs who are not elected representatives want to be included in the list. No way. And for the elected representatives, I have requested them to take it in stages. There are states that have allowed all excos to receive vaccination instead. Not good.”
The minister has also called on the public to be whistle-blowers against those trying to jump the queue.
On February 16, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced that all MPs and assemblymen, regardless of political persuasion, will receive the Covid-19 vaccine in Phase 1 of the national vaccination drive.
Muhyiddin said this was agreed on by the Special Committee of Ensuring Access to Covid-19 Vaccine Supply, seeing that MPs and reps are usually in contact with the people in the course of their work. – The Vibes, February 28, 2021
