MAIWP vaccine programme open to non-Muslims, says minister

 

Bernama pic.

PETALING JAYA: Religious affairs minister Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri has clarified that vaccinations being offered by the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP) are not just for Muslims.

His clarification follows a now-deleted tweet by MAIWP which caused a stir on social media this morning, after it said walk-in jabs at a vaccination centre (PPV) in Kuala Lumpur were only open to Malaysian Muslims.

Many netizens criticised the move and claimed that it was discrimination against people of other religious beliefs, with comedian Harith Iskander among those who called out MAIWP over the matter. MAIWP’s Twitter post was later deleted.

Replying to Harith, Zulkifli clarified that there was no ruling barring people of other religions from getting their vaccination at MAIWP PPVs, sharing photos that showed non-Muslims among those waiting for their vaccine.

He said MAIWP would “focus” on vaccinating Muslims registered on MySejahtera in the mornings, while other members of the public may get immunised in the afternoon.

“As the body managing zakat collections and distributions among Muslims in federal territories, of course MAIWP would return benefits to their clients who are Muslims. Our original focus was 7,500 people who were asnaf, senior citizens, disabled and others.

“The deleted Twitter post was simply to publicise to MAIWP clients (zakat donors and recipients) on the vaccination service,” he said, adding that the number of Muslims who have registered for vaccination was not meeting the government’s target.

“I would really appreciate it if we could promote MAIWP’s initiative, especially among the asnaf, disabled and elderly around the designated areas.

“There are still those who have not registered through MySejahtera, and even some who have no idea what MySejahtera is. Our vaccination rate needs to be ramped up,” he said.

MAIWP’s mobile PPVs are operating in four locations in Kuala Lumpur – Bandar Tun Razak, Air Panas Setiawangsa, the Taman Maluri multipurpose halls as well as the Sri Petaling community centre.

The programme started on Aug 4 and will end on Sept 12. - FMT