The Menteri Besar during the Town Hall Session with Civil Servants.

KUALA KANGSAR, 1 November 2021 - Civil servants who have not been vaccinated were urged to do so to protect society as a whole, and not to oppress them.

Perak Menteri Besar Dato' Saarani Mohamad said civil servants and also Perakians who have not been vaccinated should be open-minded and set aside any views by going to the Vaccination Centres to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

“As long as there are those who refuse to take the vaccine, the chances of getting infected and infecting others are very high. This is not an isolated case; we do not want to oppress but protect them. We are not forcing them but they need to remember that government employees are bound by the existing rules.

“The action against these civil servants is being taken by the government taking into account that this group is vulnerable to get infected and cause others to become infected. For example, teachers and counter staff who are always dealing with the public,” he said.

He said this at a press conference after a Town Hall Session with Civil Servants during the DUN Lubok Merbau MESRA Programme at Dewan Millennium here.

Dato' Saarani also attended a town hall session with the youth, opinion leaders and educators to hear ideas and opinions in resolving local issues.

Also present were State Secretary Dato' Ahmad Suaidi Abdul Rahim, State Financial Officer Dato' Zulazlan Abu Hassan and ADUN Lubok Merbau Dr. Jurij Jalaludin.

Dato' Saarani said the directive for civil servants to take the vaccine is in line with the federal general circular that those who fail to complete their COVID-19 immunisation may be subject to disciplinary action or termination of service.

“It would be unfortunate if the efforts of the federal and state governments to curb the spread of COVID-19 as well as raise awareness on the importance of vaccination are not taken seriously by some quarters, including civil servants.

"We have worked hard to combat the spread of COVID-19, so it is not fair to people who have taken the vaccine. We can understand if they have health problems or allergies, but those who deliberately refuse to take the vaccine will inconvenience others," he added.

On 18 October, the Public Service Department via Service Circular No. 4/2021 stated that civil servants who do not comply with the directive from the head of department to complete their COVID-19 vaccination by 1 November may be subject to disciplinary action or termination of service.

Source : Corporate, SUK Perak.