Hulu Langat MP to KJ: Push vaccination through awareness not coercion

Hulu Langat MP Hasanuddin Mohd Yunus has told Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin to adopt a cooler approach towards those who refuse Covid-19 vaccination.

This was after the minister said yesterday that the government would 'make life difficult' for them.

Hasanuddin, in a statement today, reminded Khairy that while vaccination is important, MPs were told as recently as July 2021 that the government does not intend to make vaccination mandatory.

"As one of the policy-makers in Parliament, in the 12MP debate, I urged the government through various ministries, especially the Communications and Multimedia Ministry to increase the awareness on vaccination to the public.

"The government should also engage and appease those who have not been vaccinated.

"Those who are reluctant or unfit to be vaccinated should be treated professionally," said Hasanuddin.

He said making them feel discriminated against would create a "hot and tense" atmosphere in society.

Hasanuddin said the government needs to manage the country wisely when conflict strikes and not be overtaken by anger or other emotions.

"In any case, the vaccination process must continue in the interest of the public," he added.

Yesterday Khairy said while the government may not implement a federal law to make it compulsory to vaccinate, he would encourage sectoral rules.

“Perhaps it may sound crude but our approach is to make life ‘difficult’ for those who do not vaccinate (against Covid-19),” he was quoted as saying by Utusan Malaysia.

While the government has not introduced a blanket mandate, vaccination against Covid-19 has been made compulsory for certain sectors.

This includes the federal civil service where those who refuse without proper medical reasons may face disciplinary action.

However, those who do not vaccinate against Covid-19 due to legitimate medical reasons are issued a certificate for identification.

Khairy said those who refuse vaccination may face difficulties due to their own choice.

“They chose on their own accord not to receive the vaccine. Unless they cannot get the vaccine due to health reasons and have been exempted under the MySejahtera system, we will make their lives difficult,” he said.

Khairy said the government is also mulling compulsory weekly Covid-19 testing on people who refuse or who deliberately delay their Covid-19 vaccination, adding that it would not subsidise the cost of tests. - Mkini