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Ensure factory workers vaccinated first

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Prof Datuk Mohd Fadzil Abdul Rahman

KUCHING: The government should carry out intensive action to ensure that those in the manufacturing sector are given vaccination priority, says political analyst Prof Datuk Mohd Fadzil Abdul Rahman.

He said that there should be a plan in place to ensure that factory workers are vaccinated first.

“Strangely, we see that Covid-19 cases are happening in large numbers in the manufacturing sector, but no initial effort was made for this sector before it was allowed to operate even during the movement control order (MCO).

“If these groups are given the vaccine then it is likely that transmission could be controlled compared to what is happening at the moment.

“This is one of the weaknesses that should be rectified instead of just arguing over the decision to open or close the economic sector during MCO,” he said on Monday (June 14).

The Universiti Malaysia Sarawak assistant vice-chancellor (Leadership and Development) was asked to comment on Pakatan Harapan Cost of Living Committee’s call for the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) to be more responsible in approving the types of businesses allowed to operate during the MCO.

In the meantime, on the call for the government to increase the one-off assistance from RM500 to RM2,000, he said it was more rational to increase the amount to RM1,000.

“It is not a matter of not being caring, but the economic viability and capability of the country should also be given attention.

“In other words, let the welfare of the people be protected but don’t let the country’s economic stability continue to drop.”

Prof Fadzil also said it was not wrong for the opposition to fight for the welfare of the people but the demand should be rational and should be in accordance with the country’s ability.

“Such an act must not be based on the goal of fishing for the people’s mandate or for the sake of political survival.”