KUCHING – Several Sarawak opposition leaders are upset by allegations that they have been discouraging rural folk in the state to not register for the Covid-19 immunisation programme.
DAP’s Michael Kong told The Vibes: “I am not sure from where the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu rep got this silly idea.”
“As far as I know, most opposition members have played their part, and are still encouraging urban folk and rural tribes to be vaccinated.
“Some of us in the party have already got our vaccinations to assure people that it is safe and taken photos of the shot given to us to encourage them to do the same.”
Kong, who is special assistant to state DAP chief Chong Chieng Jen, said opposition leaders have also posted pro-vaccine campaigns on their social media platforms.
Those who are unable to register via the MySejahtera app are being assisted at the party’s service centres, he added.
“Last week, I did my share of campaigning on my Facebook page, asking people to register for the Covid-19 vaccine.
“I hope that the rural vaccination drive will proceed without glitches, as we need a large population percentage, if not all, to be vaccinated.”
He said Telang Usan rep Dennis Ngau should not, without rhyme or reason, badmouth opposition parties.
Ngau should instead investigate such claims first and verify the truth, he added.
Bukit Assek assemblyman Irene Chang, when contacted, said: “I am not sure where Ngau got his info that members of the opposition are telling rural folk to not register for the immunisation programme.”
“I am not even aware if what he said is true.
“Opposition members have played their part in encouraging people everywhere to be vaccinated.
“Some of us have been immunised to assure people it is safe and encourage them to register.
“In any event, I hope that the rural vaccination drive will be successful as we need more to be vaccinated to achieve herd immunity.
“The government needs to step up its awareness campaign to get everyone – urban or rural folk – on board for the programme.”
Sarawak People’s Aspiration Party president Lina Soo said: “To make such a statement, the representative must have adequate and convincing proof of his allegation.”
“If he has proof, he should make a report for the law to take its course.”
Raise Covid-19 vaccine awareness for rural communities
Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) president Bobby William has rubbished Ngau’s allegations, saying “PBDS is 100% supportive of getting everyone, whether urban or rural folk, vaccinated against the Covid-19 virus.”
“Who does not want to be vaccinated?
“Today, we see positive sentiment towards the Covid-19 vaccine, while the phenomenon known as ‘vaccine hesitancy’ is fading, and people are ready and willing to be vaccinated.”
He said, however, more awareness campaigns are needed for rural folk, especially on the side effects caused by the shots, so as not to cause panic.
“Vaccination is a human rights issue, and I have always been fighting for the rights of the Dayaks, and 99% of the rural population are Dayaks.
“We in PBDS certainly want our people to get the best and be promptly vaccinated.
“So, I cannot understand what Ngau is talking about.”
Let’s not politicise it
DAP’s Bandar Kuching MP Kelvin Yii told The Vibes that the vaccination drive should not be made a “political tool” to spread accusations and fake news.
“Since day one, we in DAP have been supportive of the immunisation programme and have done events and given talks to promote the benefits of the vaccine.
“On the ground, we have mobile service centres to help the elderly register for the programme, so that no one gets left out.”
He said everyone needs for the exercise to succeed to revive the economy without endangering people’s lives.
“So, nobody must turn this into a political tool, and we must rubbish such unfounded allegations.” – The Vibes, March 16, 2021
