Segambut MP calls for members of the judiciary to be vaccinated

 

Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh has urged the government to expedite the vaccination of judges and magistrates under Phase 2 of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (NIP).

In a statement released this morning, Yeoh noted that members of the judicial arm were left out of the NIP's first phase and were slowly being included in the ongoing exercise.

"Members of the Executive and Legislative have both been vaccinated in Phase 1, leaving behind the Judiciary.

"The Legislative members have been fully vaccinated, yet Parliament remains closed. The Judiciary is left behind with courts in operations," Yeoh (above) said in the statement.

"All three branches ought to have been treated equally and fairly.

"Some judges are still waiting for an appointment while some have opted for the AstraZeneca voluntary vaccination scheme," she said.

Yeoh further said the judiciary has a role as frontliners to dispense justice and Malaysians must not be hindered from access to their functions.

"As such, judges, magistrates and court staff need to be vaccinated quickly under Phase 2.

"We cannot allow the wheels of justice of this nation to stop running or be hindered in any way, for justice delayed is justice denied," she stressed.

Media personnel were also among groups so far left out of the frontliners priority list under Phase 1, with the last promise being made for vaccinations under NIP to be administered by earlier this month.

Former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak is among vocal critics of the NIP's perceived slow rate, claiming that at the current rate it would take six years before Malaysia can reach herd immunity.

However, Khairy Jamaluddin, as the minister in charge of coordinating the NIP, has insisted that the rate of vaccination will increase exponentially in the following months as more vaccine supplies are received. - Mkini