By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, Mar 1: Sarawak government is looking into the possibility of acquiring its own Covid-19 vaccines to expedite the process of vaccinating the whole State.
To make that happen, State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas disclosed that Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian has been liaising with the federal government while a committee has been formed under Professor Datu Dr Andrew Kiyu to look for possible channels to acquire the vaccines.
He stated that Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has promised to provide all vaccines needed by eligible Sarawakians.
“However, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has instructed a team led by Dr Andrew Kiyu to find ways of how we can buy vaccines because if we can buy vaccines to supplement what the federal government is providing, we can fasten (the process of) Sarawak (people) being vaccinated.
“Our target is that by August, Sarawak will be vaccinated,” said Uggah who is also Deputy Chief Minister at a press conference to update Covid-19 situation in Sarawak today.
Uggah said the effort of Dr Sim to discuss with the federal government on acquiring the vaccines presently has yet to bear positive results.
“It is just a contingency plan and Dr Sim is talking to Kuala Lumpur because we have to buy through Kuala Lumpur.
“So far, there has been no indication that we are able to get any stock but the effort is being made and the chief minister has already asked the committee to look at that possibility (of acquiring the vaccines),” said Uggah. — DayakDaily
