Covid-19: Asean on the right track in handling pandemic, says Hisham

KUALA LUMPUR: Despite vaccine shortages, logistics issues and some people's reluctance to be vaccinated, Asean is on the right track in handling the Covid-19 pandemic, says Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein (pic).

So far, he noted, almost 90% of the high-risk population in the region has been vaccinated with at least one dose, while in most member countries, more than 65% of the populations have achieved some level of immunity.

He said Asean members have been working together, sharing best practices and even coming to mutual understandings to arrange various travel bubbles and travel lanes as the vaccination situation improved over time.

"I am certain that we are on the right track and we shall surely overcome this pandemic – emerging stronger and wiser, together.

"I strongly believe we have only been able to stand where we are today through our shared sense of responsibility to seize the initiative and work together as we never have before,” he said in delivering a keynote address at Putrajaya Forum 2022 on Tuesday (March 29).

Therefore, Hishammuddin said, it was vital for Asean members to continue working together, especially the leaders in the defence sphere.

Putrajaya Forum 2022 runs concurrently with the Defence Services Asia (DSA) exhibition and National Security Conference Asia (Natsec) 2022 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Mitec) here.

With the theme "Shared Regional Responsibility", Putrajaya Forum is an informal platform for government officials, policymakers, security experts, defence and security practitioners, think tanks as well as academicians to promote better understanding of current regional defence and security issues. – Bernama