KUALA LUMPUR – Approach those who are hesitant about getting vaccinated or entirely opposed to it with fair policies in a professional manner, Hulu Langat MP Datuk Hasanuddin Mohd Yunus told Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.
The Amanah lawmaker’s statement follows Khairy’s announcement that the ministry is mulling making life “difficult” for those who refuse the jab not on medical grounds.
Hasanuddin said a minister should craft fair policies in approaching those yet to get the shot, and to do so in a civilised and professional way.
“As someone who makes policies in Parliament, in my 12th Malaysia Plan speech, I urged the government, particularly the Communications and Multimedia Ministry, to come forward and increase vaccine awareness among the public.
The government should make peace with those yet to be vaccinated, so that the matter can be managed intelligently and professionally.”
He said the approach taken by Khairy will only increase tensions, and that Malaysia needs a government that can manage conflicts intelligently, not emotionally.
Yesterday, Khairy said the ministry is mulling the possibility of having a weekly Covid-19 test for those who reject or delay their shots, and that the government will not pay for the screening.
Although there is no national law making coronavirus vaccination mandatory, he said he encourages it to be so at the sector level.
“It may sound a little harsh, but our approach is to ‘make life difficult’ for those who choose not to receive the vaccine.
“This is because you yourself choose not to receive the vaccine unless you cannot get jabbed due to health factors and are excluded from the MySejahtera system. Otherwise, we will make your life difficult,” he said after launching the 11th National Acute Myocardial Infarction Course 2021 in Petaling Jaya. – The Vibes, October 17, 2021
