Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Khairy Jamaluddin has announced that the Malaysian government will be providing COVID-19 vaccines to foreigners that reside in Malaysia for free. The minister who is also the coordinator of the National COVID-19 Immunisation Program stated this move was agreed by the Cabinet yesterday.
In the media statement released earlier today, Minister Khairy said that among foreigners that will receive the vaccine under the national program includes foreign workers, UNHCR cardholders, and students. In addition to that, foreign spouses and children, as well as diplomats and expatriates, will be covered too.
The minister has also listed down several reasons that have led to the decision taken by the government including to address the huge number of positive cases among foreign workers, especially within the construction, manufacturing, and plantation sector. The move has also been deemed as a recognition of their contributions to Malaysia’s economy.
Minister Khairy also pointed out that it is a humanitarian move to provide vaccine during a pandemic and as a goodwill gesture to other governments that have provided vaccine to Malaysians that reside in other countries. That being said, he also stated that Malaysians will still have priority to the vaccines and the distribution schedule for foreigners will be announced in due time.
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