Selangor Sultan asks federal govt to provide more Covid-19 vaccine doses to Selangor, calls current supply unbalanced and unfair

KUALA LUMPUR (June 8): Selangor's Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah (pictured) is shocked that the state has only received 615,210 doses of Covid-19 vaccine, and not 2.91 million as previously claimed.

In a statement issued on his behalf, his private secretary Datuk Mohamad Munir Bani said the Sultan found the ratio of vaccine doses supplied to Selangor’s total population of 6.5 million unbalanced and unfair.

“His Highness reminds that the state of Selangor is the largest contributor to Malaysia’s gross domestic product (GDP), therefore priority should be given to the state,” said Mohamad Munir.

The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) had previously released data that claimed that 2.91 million Covid-19 vaccine doses had been delivered to Selangor as at May 30.

However, the Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force (CITF) later clarified that this figure included stock in a distributor’s warehouse in the state intended for nationwide distribution, and that Selangor only received 615,210 Covid-19 doses for statewide distribution. 

Mohamad Munir added that Sultan Sharafuddin hopes inoculation efforts will be ramped up, as in the current situation, the lives of the people should be given priority over other agendas.

“His Royal Highness hoped that the Special Committee on Covid-19 Vaccine Supply (JKJAV) would speed up and increase the number of vaccine doses available for the people of Selangor.

“His Majesty the Sultan of Selangor also wants the number of vaccination centres (PPV) in the state of Selangor to be increased, especially in rural areas.

“His Highness is of the view that giving vaccines on a drive-through basis or a mobile clinic can speed up the process and expand vaccination coverage,” the Sultan’s private secretary added.

The Selangor Sultan also expressed his disappointment and displeasure towards anti-vaccine groups in the state and stressed that their rhetoric could delay herd immunity.

“His Highness hopes that people would not be easily influenced by such distorted understanding. His Highness believes that vaccines can save the lives of individuals as well as communities, especially from dangerous epidemics such as Covid-19.

“His Highness is worried that if there are still individuals or groups who are adamant on not receiving the Covid-19 vaccine, the target of achieving herd immunity by the end of this year would not be achieved, thus putting the country in a more acute and dangerous epidemic crisis,” Mohammad Munir added.

As at June 7, Malaysia reported 7,548 new Covid-19 cases, bringing total infections to 534,357.

Selangor reported the most cases out of all the states and federal territories with 1,374 infections, bringing total cases in the state to 203,520, which is also the highest number of cumulative cases.

The state has consistently led in terms of new infections.

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