KOTA KINABALU – The National Security Council should consider moving Sabah into Phase 2 of the National Recovery Plan (NRP) as Covid-19 cases are under control.
However, Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin has urged the federal government to supply a sufficient amount of jab doses to the state to ensure a smooth and speedy inoculation drive.
He said the vaccine supply in Sabah is fast dwindling and has reached the point of insufficiency.
“It has been learnt that hospitals (in Sabah) have had to postpone the vaccination schedule for first- and second-dose recipients due to insufficient supply of vaccine.
“This should not happen in our effort to expedite the vaccination process.
“As of today, about 10,000 to 11,000 people are being inoculated daily in Sabah, when this should have been increased to 20,000 people per day.
“This number was reduced due to limited supply of vaccines, among other reasons,” said Bung Moktar in a statement.
He said that the state government has enhanced its vaccination awareness drive, including via outreach programmes in rural areas and the opening of new vaccination centres.
“Unfortunately, we don’t have enough vaccine supply,” he stressed.
He urged the federal government – especially the relevant ministries – to look into this matter involving the rights of Sabahans, which is in line with Malaysia Agreement 1963.
“Many have successfully controlled the spread of Covid-19 through vaccination.
“We need to expedite the process especially in Sabah as we have targeted to vaccinate 85% of the state’s population by October this year,” he added.
Yesterday, Senior Minister (Security) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that five states will move into Phase 2 of the NRP. Sabah was not one of them.
The state recorded 228 new Covid-19 cases today, while a total of 153,419 people have been inoculated as of yesterday. – The Vibes, July 4, 2021
