No vax centres even in PM’s constituency, lament Johor opposition reps

 

With just 35 vaccine distribution centres (PPV) across the entire state, opposition politicians have urged for more to be set up in Johor.

This, they said, would make vaccinations more accessible to those facing transportation hurdles.

In a joint statement today, PKR Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Karim (above) along with DAP assemblypersons Yeo Tung Siong (Pekan Nanas) and Tan Hong Pin (Skudai) questioned whether Johor was being left behind.

This was despite the southern state being the home turf of seven cabinet members, including Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

“Muhyiddin’s state constituency Gambir has no PPV as of now...

“Old folks have to travel to Bandar Tangkak, some 25km away, to get Covid-19 vaccines.

“Transport problems are surely holding back many seniors from registering and receiving vaccines as soon as possible,” they said.

Neither was there a PPV yet in Muhyiddin’s Pagoh parliamentary constituency.

“We hear there are efforts to provide a PPV in Pagoh town before the middle of June if equipment and logistics can be addressed quickly,” they added.

Aside from Pagoh, areas like Ayer Hitam, Parit Sulong, and Sembrong also did not have PPVs despite having ministerial MPs.

Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong, Higher Education Minister Noraini Ahmad, and Foreign Affairs Minister Hishammuddin Hussein are the respective representatives.

As of May 31, about 1.51 million people in Johor signed up for the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (NIP).

With 35 PPVs and assuming registrations remain at 1.51 million, each centre will need to serve more than 43,000 people on average.

Hassan, Yeo, and Tan thus urged for the Perikatan Nasional government to set up more vaccination centres.

“We call upon Muhyiddin and the relevant ministers not to be negligent in their responsibilities towards Johor. The fate of the rural people needs to be taken into account.

“Set up more PPVs across the state,” they said.

There are 99 public Klinik Kesihatan in Johor. There are also numerous public hospitals and rural public clinics.

“Many locations can be turned into a PPV for the local community.

“With this, the vaccination rate can be raised quickly,” they said, proposing 100 PPVs to be established in the state. - Mkini