By Adrian Lim
KUCHING, June 23: Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing is urging the public not to spread fake news that a woman who was taken into an ambulance at the Dinner World Vaccination Centre in Bintulu has allegedly passed away.
Tiong in a statement today clarified that the victim, a 42-year-old woman with high blood pressure and other heart related health issues had complained of having a headache after arriving at the vaccination centre and the medical staff on site advised her not to receive her vaccine at that point in time.
However, he said the victim insisted on receiving her vaccination and she experienced a worsening headache after that and medical staff immediately attended to her due to her state of anxiety and nervousness that led to panic.
“On this matter, I would like to point out that the incident is the first such occurrence at a vaccination centre in Bintulu.
“If any recipient at the centre feels any discomfort or are unwell, they must inform and listen to the medical staff on hand, who will advise them on whether or not they should proceed with receiving the vaccine.
“Understandably, some people would be worried that they will not have another opportunity to be vaccinated, leading them to wanting to be given their doses as soon as possible.
“But, I appeal to everyone not to worry because no one will be left out from the vaccination programme.
“If you do not receive an appointment later, you may contact us for assistance,” he said.
Tiong, who is also Progressive Democractic Party (PDP) president, explained that the victim was rushed to the hospital via an ambulance at 2.30pm yesterday.
He explained that the victim was conscious when she was transferred into the ambulance.
“If the victim’s condition was serious, there would have been first aid administered before being put in the ambulance.
“But, the fact is that the situation of the victim has stabilised and she will be discharged from the hospital,” Tiong pointed out.
In the meantime, he reminded social media users not to fan the flames create unfounded panic just because one lacks understanding of the true situation or thinks they hold some first-hand information.
He believed such irresponsible behaviour will only make the situation worse.
Tiong asserted that anyone who willfully spreads false information about the coronavirus disease and the vaccination process can face punitive actions under the Sedition Act 1948, Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 or under the Emergency (Essential Powers) Ordinance 2021. — DayakDaily
