The Rural Development Deputy Minister posing for a group photo with Covid-19 vaccine recipients.

SUNGAI SIPUT, 26 June 2021: Sungai Siput has become the first Mara Liner Mobile Bus Vaccine Centre (PPV) location in the Rural Development Ministry’s (KPLB) effort to bring Covid-19 vaccines to the Orang Asli community villages.

Rural Development Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad said the programme was made possible with the cooperation of MARA Liner Mobile Bus PPV, Orang Asli Development Department (JAKOA), Kuala Kangsar District Health Office, Sungai Siput District Hospital and several other government agencies for the Herd Immunity Campaign launch here.

“This effort is to ensure that the rural community, including the Orang Asli community, is not left behind in getting vaccinated through the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (PICK) to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic nationwide and via this Mobile Bus PPV an estimated 800 people can receive their vaccine jabs.

“KPLB always strives to provide clear explanation on the benefits of vaccination to the rural community as well as assist those who face difficulties in getting to the PPVs.

He said this after observing the vaccination process at the MARA Liner Mobile Bus PPV at the Bawong Orang Asli One Stop Centre (OAOSC) here today.

Also present were State Rural Development, Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Committee Chairman Dato' Zainol Fadzi Paharuddin and State Infrastructure, Energy, Water and Public Transport Committee Chairman Dato’ Mohd Zolkafly Harun, who is also Lintang assemblyman.

At the programme, a total of 100 Orang Asli received their Covid-19 vaccine injection and from that number, 40 were Tok Batins of the Orang Asli community in Kuala Kangsar District while 60 were Orang Asli senior citizens.

Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman said through these efforts, KPLB hoped that all 144,180 Orang Asli settlers eligible nationwide, would be vaccinated as soon as possible.

“Hopefully, with this effort, the government can achieve the vaccination target of 80 percent of Malaysians before the end of this year.

“KPLB also calls on the Orang Asli community to register for the Covid-19 vaccine. Registration can be made via the MySejahtera application or manually with the assistance of the respective District and State JAKOA officers. JAKOA is always ready to help the Orang Asli community as well as bringing the Orang Asli community in the interior to the PPVs to be vaccinated,” he said. 

At the same time, a total of 17 Mara Liner Sdn Bhd buses have been converted into PPVs, where each PPV unit has 9 vaccination counters including one for disabled persons (OKU). 

The operations include confirmation counters, registration, consultation, observation and treatment in accordance with the conditions set by the MOH and run for 10 hours with an estimated 800 vaccine recipients a day.

Source : Corporate, SUK Perak.