KUALA LUMPUR – The slow roll-out of Malaysia’s vaccination process is one of three factors contributing to high Covid-19 figures, said opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
However, the PKR president said it was not related to registration in the rural areas, because Sarawak has the highest number of people registering for the vaccination.
“There is no urgency shown by the government in acquiring and ensuring that the process of distributing the vaccine would be done immediately.
“The vaccination has to speed up.
“Now that we are going to implement a lockdown, I hope the government will utilise this period to speed up vaccination.
“Initiatives have to be taken in states that have recorded low vaccination rates such as Kelantan and Pahang.
“The next step is to allow the general practitioners to give the vaccine.
“I think we will see a difference, especially in Selangor, if this is allowed,” he said.
Anwar said this during a live Facebook session when speaking on the 14-day lockdown starting June 1, as announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday.
He pointed out three points that have contributed to a high number of Covid-19 cases in Malaysia; diagnostic, treatment and vaccination.
“I have had a Zoom discussion with two medical experts, and for diagnosis, there is a need for the country to widen Covid-19 tests; like what is implemented in Selangor, because the country could only do 150,000 Covid-19 tests per day nationwide,” he said.
Anwar said there is a need for medical facilities to be prepared in terms of treatment because the real number of Covid-19 cases may be higher than what is reported now.
“This is why understanding, awareness and education through communication must have effective coordination.
“People have to know that the data shows that one person with Covid-19 could infect 45 other people,” he said.
Vaccinations must be stepped up in states lagging behind.”
Anwar also questioned the implementation of the nationwide lockdown, which will surely affect the economy.
“We have some areas that are still stable, like some interior areas of Pahang.
“Why are these places also under lockdown? Why not block the borders, and not impose a lockdown in areas that do not have problems?
“Lockdown should be implemented when we are forced to, when we don’t have other options,” he said.
He urged the government to decide immediately on the stimulus package to help the rakyat.
“For instance, there is a moratorium for three months.
“In 2020, Maybank recorded a profit of RM2.39 billion, Public Bank RM1.25 billion (among others), and bank managers and chief executive officers had their salaries raised in 2020, while the people ‘at the bottom’ are losing their jobs,” he said.
“The government must allow a moratorium to reduce the rakyat’s burden.
“The government has failed; it is sickening to see that the government does not care about the rakyat’s pain,” he said. – The Vibes, May 29, 2021
