PETALING JAYA: Fines are being mulled for those caught jumping the queue for Covid-19 vaccines, says Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba.
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“Under the Act, we have several specific provisions in which we can bring a person to justice by way of a fine if they prevent or stall efforts to control and prevent the spread of Covid-19,
“This is for sure, ” he said at a joint press conference with Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin on Monday (March 1) after chairing the Special Committee on Covid-19 Vaccine Supply Access Guarantee (JKJV).
Meanwhile, Khairy said a special committee has been set up to investigate complaints of queue jumping for the vaccines meant for frontliners under the first phase of the national immunisation programme.
“Officers of state excos, mentris besar and state secretaries are not included in the list.
This includes family members and spouses of Cabinet ministers and lawmakers.
Wait your turn and don’t even try to register and jump the queue, ” he said.
He clarified the recent incident involving several aides of state exco members jumping queue for the vaccine was due confusion.
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He said the confusion was over the exact definition of frontliners under the first phase of the immunisation programme that had also listed lawmakers as those eligible.
“We have decided to come out with clear guidelines which will specify in detail who are frontliners and this will be uploaded to our website. The issue of queue-jumping will not arise anymore and all will be asked to adhere to the guidelines, ” he said.
With the clear guidelines, he added that officers at the vaccination centres would not bow down to pressure and will ensure that only those eligible would be given the vaccine.
Khairy also said that those wanting to lodge complaints of queue jumping can do so anonymously to protect their identity.
“I have received several complaints through my email and will personally look into it, ” he said.
He added that the committee would also look into new category groups appealing to be considered for vaccination.
The Government’s decision to set up the committee to investigate claims of queue jumping comes in the wake of complaints of aides of several politicians and senior government officials getting the vaccines.- The Star