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PETALING JAYA: The war on Covid-19 is far from over, said Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (Photo)as he set out the five priorities in the national fight against the pandemic in his New Year’s speech in 2021.
First, Muhyiddin said that the government aims to improve public health by procuring Covid-19 vaccines and implementing a nationwide vaccination program.
Muhyiddin said that the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, and Wisma Putra have created a vaccine supply portfolio and signed various agreements with Covid-19 vaccine agencies and companies to procure vaccines for Malaysians as soon as possible. .
“The government will guarantee efficient, safe and adequate vaccine supplies for at least 80% of the population and this vaccine will also be delivered free to citizens,” he said.
Muhyiddin also said that the Ministry of Health will implement the National Covid-19 Immunization Plan through three phases starting in February.
“Frontliners and I will be among the first to receive the vaccines to show that the vaccine is safe and effective, God willing.”
At the same time, Muhyiddin also said that high-risk groups, such as the elderly and patients who have non-infectious diseases and chronic diseases, will have priority to get vaccinated.
He stressed that the efficacy and safety of the vaccine will be monitored by the National Agency for Pharmaceutical Regulation.
“I would also like to remind you that the vaccination program is only a preventive step and SOPs must be adhered to at all times,” he added.
The second priority, said the Prime Minister, is to strengthen the economy and accelerate post-Covid-19 economic growth through the implementation of Budget 2021 and the 12th Malaysia Plan.
He noted that the 2021 Budget, worth RM322.5 billion, is the largest federal spending in the nation’s history, and said it is a critical measure to ensure economic recovery.
“The government will continue to develop social safety nets such as direct cash aid in the form of Bantuan Prihatin Rakyat, the insurance protection scheme for the B40 and to strengthen the national welfare system so that the needy are taken care of.
“The Perikatan Nasional government will continue to strengthen the national agenda to eliminate poverty in Malaysia without regard to race and religion,” he said.
Muhyiddin said the government’s third priority is to promote stability in politics, government and administration, as it is a basis for a strong economic recovery.
He urged leaders on the other side of the political divide to display qualities of responsibility and refrain from any action that could threaten political stability.
“Right now, it’s good if we can put politics aside and stand together for the people. We need to stand together in the fight against this pandemic as patriotic Malays, ”added Muhyiddin.
Muhyiddin also said he was confident that political stability and good governance will foster a conducive investment ecosystem to ensure Malaysia remains among the top investment destinations in the Southeast Asian region.
Meanwhile, Muhyiddin said the fourth approach was to ensure that the nation’s sovereignty is upheld and Malaysia’s position on the international stage strengthened.
Muhyiddin said Malaysia wants to seize the opportunity of the global order disruption by Covid-19 to play a more active role on the international stage and show its dynamic leadership.
“It is time for Malaysia to emerge as a respected power, courageous in the constant fight for mutual peace and prosperity,” he said.
On the fifth priority, which is to improve harmonious relations between Malaysians, Muhyiddin said he believes and is confident that unity was the key to the country’s success, especially in overcoming the pandemic.
“I would like to emphasize that the government will not hesitate to take action against anyone who disobeys and continues to inflame hatred between different religious and ethnic groups, and more in disrespecting the constitutional monarchy,” he said, urging Malaysians to appreciate the peace they enjoy. .
He said the five priorities listed were in line with the government’s long-term vision under the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030, adding that despite the hardships of 2020, he believed Malaysians could still be thankful for many blessings.
Urging Malaysians to move towards 2021 with more resilience, the government’s goal, he added, was to see a more united Malaysia, free from Covid-19, a prosperous rakyat with a booming economy and the country’s name on the international stage.
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