KUCHING: Sarawak has forwarded an appeal to Putrajaya to speed up its Covid-19 vaccine supply to the state.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas who is also Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) chairman said he personally forwarded the request to Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin during the latter’s visit to the Kuching Vaccine Administration Centre at Stadium Perpaduan Petra Jaya, here today (Apr 1).
“Today (Apr 1) we have shown to him our readiness. We are ready all over Sarawak.
“The only limiting factor now is the supply of vaccines. We appealed to the prime minister to speed up the vaccination supply for the state.
“I am very happy that we are able to convey that to him and we hope that Putrajaya will consider it,” he said when met by the press after accompanying Muhyiddin and Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg during their visit to the facility.
Uggah said Sarawak also requested the prime minister to accelerate vaccination in red zones statewide.
“And we have conveyed to him the amount of vaccines needed especially in red districts.
“In principle, he has agreed. But all of this depends on the supply of vaccines from abroad,” he explained.
Asked about the state government’s proposal to purchase its own vaccines, Uggah assured that relevant parties were actively pursuing the matter.
He added that the proposal also depended on the availability of vaccine supplies.
“So our vaccination team is working very actively with Dr Sim (Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian) in getting in touch with their contacts so that we are able to explore that area.
“At the moment, Putrajaya is confident that they have enough for the whole of Malaysia and Sarawak,” assured Uggah.
He revealed that the number of Sarawakians who had registered for the vaccination had reached 66.7 percent or over 1.2 million people.
