KUALA LUMPUR – The government will maintain its ban on physical activities related to the Melaka election, despite a push by various quarters to revoke the restriction, the Dewan Rakyat heard today.
Deputy Health Minister II Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang said the ministry will not simply reverse its decision based just on the complaints of certain quarters pertaining to the standard operating procedures (SOPs).
“We have already announced our strategy in relation to Melaka. Just because there are some parties who want the ban reversed, we can’t do that.
“There have been questions on why this can’t be done or that can’t be done. We, as the government, have announced our policy and can’t just backtrack,” he said in Parliament today.
Aaron was responding to Dr Lee Boon Chye (Gopeng-PH), who wanted to know why the government has imposed strict restrictions in Melaka related to the election, despite the country beginning the roll-out of Covid-19 booster shots.
Lee argued that the third Covid-19 jabs are supposed to ensure more SOPs can be relaxed in phases.
“Although Melaka is already in Phase 4 of the National Recovery Plan (NRP), the SOPs for the state election appear much tighter than the SOPs under the NRP.
“When the ministry (introduced the strict SOPs), it will not give confidence to the rakyat that we are going in a positive direction,” he said.
Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin had announced last week that no physical activities related to the state polls will be allowed beginning October 25 to November 27, to curb Covid-19 transmissions.
“The ministry predicts many assemblies and social gatherings related to the election will be held and involve many individuals engaged in mass gatherings nationwide,” Khairy had said in a statement.
Melaka is set to head to the polls on November 20, with nomination day scheduled for next Monday.
Meanwhile, on a separate matter, Aaron said since the start of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme in February this year, the Health Ministry has received some 22,000 reports through MySejahtera of individuals experiencing adverse effects after taking the vaccines.
A total of 1,483 of these cases are categorised as serious, of which 519 individuals later reportedly died.
“However, after conducting health examinations, it was found none of the deaths can be directly linked to the Covid-19 vaccine,” he said.
Aaron added that individuals who are proven to have suffered vaccine side effects will be given up to RM50,000 in special financial aid by the government, while a maximum RM500,000 will be given to those who suffer permanent disabilities or death.
To date, the deputy minister said the government has received 74 applications for the aid, of which 67 are still under consideration and remaining seven have been rejected. – The Vibes, November 1, 2021
