MMA: Good for PM to take vaccine, other politicians should give way to hospital cleaners
It's good for Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin to take the Covid-19 vaccine to set an example to the rakyat, but other politicians should not be prioritised and should take a back seat to hospital cleaners, said Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) president Dr Subramaniam Muniandy
“Frontliners should be vaccinated first as per the plan in phase one, followed by senior citizens, high-risk individuals with chronic illnesses and persons with disabilities in phase two."
“We believe cleaners should be counted as frontliners. If they are not, they will be at risk as they handle contaminated materials," he told Malaysiakini.
He added that while the prime minister receiving...
It's good for Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin to take the Covid-19 vaccine to set an example to the rakyat, but other politicians should not be prioritised and should take a back seat to hospital cleaners, said Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) president Dr Subramaniam Muniandy.
“Frontliners should be vaccinated first as per the plan in phase one, followed by senior citizens, high-risk individuals with chronic illnesses and persons with disabilities in phase two."
“We believe cleaners should be counted as frontliners. If they are not, they will be at risk as they handle contaminated materials," he told Malaysiakini.
He added that while the prime minister receiving the vaccine would set a good example to the people, most elected representatives should receive the shots only in the third phase of the programme.
Subramaniam added that the MMA would review its stand on the matter if representatives were required to attend Parliament and state assembly sittings.
“This may be a good reason since issues on the management of Covid-19 should be debated in Parliament to ensure the situation is well managed," he said.
Muhyiddin announced last week that MPs and assemblypersons would be among those categorised under the first phase of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme.
Today, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said that Muhyiddin and Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah will be among the first to receive the vaccine when it is rolled out on Wednesday ahead of schedule.
Medical and non-medical frontliners will join Muhyiddin and Dr Noor Hisham to be vaccinated on the same day, he added.
Ministers had knowingly flouted SOP's during pandemic spikes. They would likely flout rules big way once vaccinated. While it only need ordinary enforcement to effortlessly fine ordinary Rakyat, but we have to move our Police force & AG team for cases involving ministers/politicians. Often it took months of investigations & public outcry before the fine is finally imposed. Meaning it's extremely costly & perhaps million of RM of public resources would need to be wasted just to fine a flouting minister. So best to jab them last!
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