[ad_1]
PETALING JAYA: Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has questioned why Malaysia has not started exploring its own Covid-19 vaccine production, and asked if enough is being done to make local production a reality.
Anwar said the government had previously stated that vaccine producers would be required to share their knowledge with Malaysia if a deal was reached for their product.
“Therefore, it is timely to ask the government how soon we can expect to see our own vaccine production facilities,” he said in a statement.
“Why are local universities and medical research institutions not at the forefront of vaccine development? We have produced antidotes for the Nipah virus, among others, which shows that we too have the capacity to research and develop vaccines. “
(The Nipah virus outbreak in 1998-1999 caused 105 deaths and the near collapse of pig farming due to the slaughter of infected pigs.)
Last week, the Russian ambassador to Malaysia, Naiyl M Latypov, said that his country had offered to share its experience and knowledge with Malaysia. Russia produced its own vaccine, Sputnik V, of which Malaysia will receive 10 million doses.
Anwar also disagreed with other aspects of the vaccine launch, which began in February and could take a year to complete.
“Minister Khairy Jamaluddin revealed that 1.4 million people who signed up for vaccination through MySejahtera have done so incompletely. What is the government doing to address vaccine registration issues?
“Also, what is the government doing to convince the anti-vaccines (those who are against the vaccine) to take the vaccine, since it is voluntary? Is enough being done to allay public fears associated with the vaccine? “
He also called for greater transparency in the government’s decision-making process when purchasing vaccines, as taxpayers deserve more information on how their RM3 billion have been spent.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE LATEST DATA ON THE SITUATION OF COVID-19 IN MALAYSIA
