By Karen Bong
KUCHING, June 25: There are no major problems for stateless people to get Covid-19 vaccination done so long as their identities or status can be verified by their respective community leaders.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg explained that community leaders will use their discretion in determining whether a stateless person, who is without proper identification documents, is eligible for vaccination.
“There’s nothing wrong as there will be a few people in a village who are without identity cards.
“The community leaders like village chiefs can verify whether the persons are born or live in the area because they are the ones who know about the residents in their areas.
“There is not much of a problem. We will give the vaccine shots upon confirmation from community leaders that the person is in fact born there or resides in the area even though they do not have an identity card,” he told a press conference after his visit to Longi Kuching PPV at Samajaya Free Industrial Zone here today.
He was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Minister for Local Government and Housing Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian and Assistant Minister of International Trade and Industry, Industry Terminal and Entrepreneur Development Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais.
Meanwhile, Uggah pointed out that a mechanism has been established to cover the vaccination of stateless persons throughout Sarawak in which instructions have been related to the entire vaccination machinery.
“All Malaysians or non-Sarawakians and foreigners residing in Sarawak will also be vaccinated,” he said.
Naroden who was also present added that stateless persons can provide their names and get verification from community leaders, after which they can present the documents at PPV to get their vaccination.
Earlier today, Abang Johari also visited industry PPV set up at tHe Spring and VivaCity shopping malls. — DayakDaily
