'Who cares about majorities, people are dying', DAP rep blasts govt, opposition

 

Frustrated by the slow vaccination rate in Bentong, Pahang, a DAP state lawmaker has taken both the government and opposition to task over their preoccupation with wrestling for power.

Sabai assemblyperson Kamache Doray Rajoo (above) said Bentong was in desperate need of vaccines, not politics.

"We are very far from achieving herd immunity. This is not good. I see the leaders are being selfish.

"Majority lah, this and that lah. What is more important now?

"I'm also talking about the opposition; don't be so preoccupied with changing the government.

"What can you do if you change the government? People are dying, who cares about all this (politicking)," Kamache told Malaysiakini.

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin is currently fighting to stay in power, while a fragmented opposition - aided indirectly by an Umno faction - has joined forces to unseat him.

Only 25 percent of 95,000 people fully vaccinated

Kamache said Bentong has 95,200 people who have either registered or are eligible for vaccines, but as of July 31, only 25 percent have been fully vaccinated.

This is despite the district having seven government clinics, each capable of administering up to 200 doses of vaccine per day, or 1,400 doses per week, she said.

To compound matters, Kamache cited a source as saying that for the entire month of August, there was only enough vaccine supply for second dose appointments.

"For the whole month, there is no first dose vaccination," she claimed.

Malaysiakini is trying to verify the allegation with the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry.

Among those affected by this shortage, Kamache said, are senior citizens who stay at old folks' homes that are not registered with the Social Welfare Department.

She said she has been trying to find a solution to get the seniors vaccinated since June but to no avail.

"Bentong is a vulnerable area, we need more vaccines," she pleaded.

There were 95 new cases of Covid-19 in Bentong yesterday, bringing the number of active cases up to 1,378, the second-highest in Pahang, behind Kuantan.

 - Mkini