THE National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme must be expedited as it is now moving at a very slow pace, Penang executive council member Jagdeep Singh Deo said.
Jagdeep, who is the state Local Government, Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman, said (as of May 19) Malaysia recorded a vaccination rate of 6.4 doses of Covid-19 vaccine administered per 100 people.
“Meanwhile in Singapore, our neighbouring country, the rate was 60 doses of Covid-19 vaccine administered per 100 people.
“This was reported in The New York Times. Malaysia’s Covid-19 vaccination programme is experiencing a delay, which must be addressed.
“I urge the minister, Khairy Jamaluddin, to obtain the Covid-19 vaccine supplies quickly and speed up the programme.
“Look at our numbers. We should have started the Phase Three of the immunisation programme,” he told a press conference after conducting a spot check at the Jelutong market today. With him were Jelutong MP R.S.N. Rayer, Sungai Pinang assemblyman Lim Siew Khim, Batu Lancang assemblyman Ong Ah Teong, Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Daniel Gooi and Penang Island City Council mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang.
He said that the state was ready to assist the Federal Government in speeding up the vaccination process.
“We have doctors from the private sector on standby, as well as other specialists to help speed up the vaccination process,” he said.
Jagdeep said the Penang government would not compromise public health and safety.
“Since March 18 last year, more than 1,600 premises in Penang have been closed by the local councils and the relevant agencies due to non-compliance to the standard operating procedures (SOPs).
“The premises include restaurants, markets, construction sites and hawker sites,” he said.
Jagdeep reiterated: “I have instructed my mayors to take stern action against those who did not abide by the SOPs.”
“We want to be back on (the green zone) track. There is much work to be done and it is important that we follow the SOPs,” he said, commenting on the Covid-19 infections which skyrocketed to 6,075 new cases on May 19.
He said that the state valued the hard work of the frontliners.
Jagdeep also denied that the state government had politicised the Sinovac vaccine offer by a company to Penang.
“We have genuine intention to help the people if we had gotten the vaccine.
“At that point in time, the Federal Government said no (to the state government) because of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme.
“Let the matter be investigated and let’s see the outcome of the investigation,” he said.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud