Perak govt urged to involve state reps in vaccination efforts

 

The Perak state government has been urged to involve local elected representatives in its vaccination efforts so that herd immunity can be achieved as soon as possible.

Sungai Rapat assemblyperson Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin said the elected representatives’ service centres are very close to the local community and can help bridge the information gap surrounding the vaccination programme.

“In line with the sultan’s address while he officiated the state assembly recently, where the vaccination process should be expanded to the interiors or to those without internet access… the Perak health exco should involve all elected representatives directly in trying to achieve herd immunity, specifically in interiors and rural areas,” Nizar said in a statement today.

Perak Menteri Besar Saarani Mohammad should also review the health exco’s role, Nizar suggested, so that it is more involved in terms of conveying information and latest data about the Covid-19 pandemic in the state.

For example, he said, simple flyers about the Covid-19 vaccination can be provided to the service centres of local assemblypersons.

Local representatives can work with the state health department to channel such information to villagers in the area, he said, adding that there are still complaints from villagers who have not received their appointments even though they have registered for the vaccine a while ago.

“What is more worrying is that the positive cases in Perak have breached four figures daily.

“As a priority, elected representatives must be involved in the process of vaccinating school students so that we can make the process of school reopening a smooth one,” Nizar, who is an Amanah lawmaker, added.

In order to achieve herd immunity in the shortest time possible, he also said vaccination centres should be opened in every state constituency.

Claims of sabotage

Perak has recorded average daily Covid-19 cases of 1,072 in the past seven days.

Meanwhile, its average for the past seven days for daily vaccine doses administered is 32,495.

Yesterday, PKR's Hulu Kinta assemblyperson Muhamad Arafat Varisai Mahamad had also accused a certain state exco of "sabotaging" the Perak government's Covid-19 vaccination efforts by failing to go to the ground.

He alleged that the exco, who is from Perikatan Nasional, was unhappy that BN is now leading the state.

However, Perak PN secretary Zainol Fadzi Paharudin refuted this.

"There is no such thing as PN exco sabotaging... It is he (Arafat) who is the one sabotaging the state government," he was quoted as saying by Sinar Harian.

Bersatu's Ahmad Faizal Azumu was ousted as the Perak menteri besar in December last year after Umno MPs withdrew their support for him.

Saarani, who is Umno's Kota Tampan assemblyperson, replaced him. - Mkini