YOURSAY | ‘The bigger question is, would undocumented workers step forward to get free vaccines?’

Ministers: Covid-19 vaccine free to all, including non-citizens

Manjit Bhatia: I'll believe this hype when and if it happens. It might just turn out to be another bit of Perikatan Nasional (PN) hubris.

Incidentally, it is not the “government” that is “bearing the huge cost of containing the pandemic among the migrant worker population, including quarantine and treatment”.

Remember basic economics - governments do not have money, per se. Governments raise money through mostly taxes (in Malaysia's case, including corruption).

It is as usual taxpayers who are bearing the cost of Covid-19 wherever and whoever it infects. And there are fewer than 15 million taxpayers in Malaysia.

Plebian: The reality will never live up to these grand pronouncements, as per usual. The roll-out will more likely entail all sorts of delays and inequities, as well as an about-turn on the "free for all" policy.

And if it is free for all, why did Pharmaniaga state a couple of days ago that some of its intended vaccine stock (which will be available who knows when) is for paying customers. That will be who exactly?

Harimau_Arif: There is no doubt that vaccination should be offered free to foreigners in the country. After all, most of them who are undocumented (3.5 million of them) are here because of our government through unethical politicians.

The bigger question here is, would the undocumented workers step forward to get the free vaccines? Somehow, I doubt it unless there is some type of amnesty in place.

Fair Comments: Based on media reports, there may be over three million undocumented workers. Because of their status and fear of being caught and punished, the majority may not come forward to be vaccinated.

I think the government has no choice but to offer to regularise all of them to entice them to come forward. Don't just announce the government’s new policy casually. Gaining their trust is of paramount importance.

Even though these are not refugees, get the UNHCR to be involved by either signing an agreement with them or give them an undertaking that: (1) when the undocumented workers come forward, they will not be punished, and (2) all of them will be regularised.

Toffeesturn: Yes, free vaccines for foreigners must include undocumented migrants - they are victims of circumstances and they must never be overlooked. If we talk about the humane thing to do, that is it.

Do not use this as an opportunity to catch them. They must feel free to come and take their vaccinations.

BlueWhale6963: The vaccines are not enough for citizens, how to give them free for non-citizens?

Well Thats Fantastic: Wow, there are some selfish, self-centred people. It's not your fault as I suppose those in power have brainwashed you.

Unless all are vaccinated, the virus might mutate and make the vaccine you get ineffective. Also, who wants to see other people die in our streets? Where is your compassion for your fellow man?

RR: Indeed, if we don’t vaccinate the foreigners, especially construction and plantation workers, they will be a danger and pass on the Covid-19 virus to the rest of the population. This is a good and humane decision.

Wildflower: Let’s see what happens when we start vaccinating. Malaysians will be angry if the foreigners get to cut the queue and get vaccinated first.

Bewise: @Wildflower, haven’t you heard of Malaysians in Singapore getting vaccinated ahead of their citizens? Singaporeans didn't make any noise as they know it is important that the frontliners and essential services get vaccinated first, regardless of nationalities.

So when one goes to the hospital, should one say only Singapore medical staff are allowed to attend to patients since they are vaccinated? For your information, there are at least a million Malaysians working in Singapore.

Vijay47: Health Minister Adham Baba and Science, Technology, and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, under normal circumstances a promise of even vaccination would have been a cause for restrained celebration, but in this particular instance, I cannot avoid my lip curling in a sneer, much as I would have preferred to feel gratitude and relief.

The nation’s entire response to Covid-19 has been managed in a manner where the government has lost all credibility evoked by the huge gulf between pledge and deed.

Everyone had a crucial role to play. Even by protecting themselves only, they will also protect their neighbours. The law had been firmly enforced, and the people stood solidly behind the authorities on this matter.

This was until we realised that while the common man suffered the full brunt, every miserable Umno/PAS politician, including their equally obnoxious offsprings, were protected from any form of punishment.

Their even more ridiculous excuses were welcomed with forgiving tolerance, confirming as Federal Territories Minister Annuar Musa may claim to the contrary, these could not be mere coincidence.

Suddenly, at the height of the Covid-19 onslaught, there is a flurry of international flights – Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin is jetting away to Jakarta while Foreign Minister Hishamuddin Hussein is on a jaunt to the UAE.

Do you actually expect us to believe that the purpose of the visits was of such gravity that they could not be delayed, that the PM could not spend his time more usefully manning the home fort?

All of this culminated with Adham issuing his now world-famous three-day quarantine flexibility. Again, you expect us to believe there is no prawn behind the stone?

Going by the quality of the politicians we have, the offer of free vaccination will still be viewed with suspicion. Not that we wish to look a gift horse in the mouth, but we are wary of Greek horses.

Khairy, to some extent you have remained relatively unscathed by recent events. But be mindful of the company you keep or the little credibility you still hold on to may disappear with unbelievable speed.

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