Smooth progress ensured: Correct decision that Khairy continues to lead NIP

The decision that the Ministry of Health (MoH) led by its Minister Khairy Jamaluddin would handle all vaccination-related programmes and health strategies related to Covid-19 is welcome. It will ensure this campaign will continue smoothly, and that as many Malaysians and non-citizens as possible will complete their doses as early as possible.

In making his announcement, Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri also informed that the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (MoSTI) Dato’ Seri Dr Adham Baba would focus on research and development to produce Covid-19 vaccines. It is hoped that these two Ministries will execute their roles to bring the Covid-19 pandemic situation in Malaysia under control, so that our nation can return to the old normal as we used to know it before, and the economy and people’s livelihoods may recover.

Under the previous Cabinet, Khairy as Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation had helmed the NIP. His performance in executing this immunisation programme was above satisfactory. With the appointment of Khairy as Minister of Health, he will continue to head the NIP thereby ensuring the smooth integration and continuation of all related works. This will eliminate the need for the public and staff to adapt to new instructions required whenever there is a change of person in charge.

It is only apt administratively that the nation’s immunisation programme is returned to MoH’s authority. At present, Khairy’s first task is to accelerate the inoculation rate at states which appear to lag behind, such as Sabah, Kedah, Kelantan, Johor and others.

As MoSTI led by Dr Adham Baba will handle research of development to produce Covid-19 vaccine, this move is also in line with the scope and responsibility of this Ministry. I hope that MoSTI will develop a Malaysia’s own locally produced vaccine soonest possible, so that there will be sufficient and stable access to the doses for everyone in our country. This will reduce the need to rely on purchase of vaccines from overseas for supplies.

Datuk Tan Teik Cheng
MCA Vice President

-MCA Online-