Dr Sim rebuts fake news family members jumped queue to receive Covid-19 vaccine

Dr Sim (front row, yellow shirt) poses for a photo with medical personnel conducting Covid-19 vaccinations at Stadium Perpaduan in Kuching.

By Adrian Lim

KUCHING, March 29: Minister for Local Government and Housing Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian lashed out at individuals spreading fake news and rumours of his family members jumping the queue to get Covid-19 vaccinations.

He asserted that none of his family members have received the vaccination and the list of Covid-19 recipients in Sarawak is managed by the State Health Department.

“None of my family members had been vaccinated. They had done their part to register for vaccination.

“I wish I could let my 80-year-old mother have the vaccine that was given to me as she is at higher risk than me for severe Covid-19 infection, though much lower risk than me for catching Covid-19.

“The vaccination list is assigned (sic) by Jabatan Kesihatan Negeri Sarawak, a federal government agency as is Federal Government National Vaccination Programme,” he revealed via a Facebook post.

Dr Sim who is also the Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) president visited the Stadium Perpaduan vaccination centre yesterday personally to check on the vaccination programme rollout.

He disclosed that 32,398 individuals have received their first Covid-19 vaccine dose and 16,088 individuals have received the second dose under Phase One of the Sarawak Immunisation programme for frontliners.

Dr Sim pointed out that the State Covid-19 vaccination programme is currently ahead of schedule since it was launched by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg on February 26. — DayakDaily