No mandatory vaccination for now, says minister

FOR now, the government has no intention of making Covid-19 vaccination mandatory, including for the estimated 1.6 million civil servants, says Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad.

The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Special Functions) said the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme was still ongoing on a voluntary basis.

“However, if the government wants to make it mandatory or to ensure all civil servants are vaccinated, it will require several conditions and regulations, as well as engagement so it can be carried out reasonably,” he said in his reply to Datuk Dr Shahruddin Md Salleh (Pejuang-Sri Gading) during Minister’s Question Time at the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.

Shahruddin had asked whether the government would take legal action against civil servants who refuse to get vaccinated.

Abdul Latiff said to date, 98.18% of the 1.6 million civil servants have received their full dose.

“Only about 1.82% of them have not been vaccinated,” he said.

Asked on the assurance that those who are unvaccinated would not affect public health, Abdul Latiff said currently, there is no law to compel them to receive the jabs.

“In Singapore, they have laws to make it mandatory but we have not reached that level yet.

“There are several ways for the authorities to address this.

“For instance, those who are not vaccinated cannot dine in with their family members at restaurants as operators only allow those who are fully vaccinated.

“Although we do not force them, they will realise after a while that they cannot enjoy the same entitlements,” he said.

Asked how the government would deal with those who are still doubtful about the vaccine including professionals such as doctors and religious leaders, the minister said the government was aware of such groups, which are also influential.

“Only when they are infected with Covid-19, will they know the suffering of these patients especially if they are in Categories 4 or 5, or admitted to the ICU (intensive care unit).

“That is why the government will carry out engagement.

“In the end, they have to make their own decisions. So far, we do not make it mandatory like in Canada as their anti-vaccination group has too much exposure,” he said.

Abdul Latiff said in Malaysia, there was still room for discussions with groups, such as was done with the Orang Asli community.

“We discussed this with their community leaders and Tok Batin (village heads) and in the end, they agreed to be vaccinated.

“In Malaysia, we can achieve things without any compulsion,” he said.