Press Statement
27th May 2021

Fewer Johoreans are vaccinated in Phase 2 compared to Phase 1. Where are the vaccines?

45% of new Covid-19 positive cases come from Klang Valley. Sarawak recorded the 2nd highest after Klang Valley, around 9% to 10% while Johor recorded the 3rd highest, i.e. 8.5% of total cases.

However, vaccination rate in Johor is one of the lowest at only 5.54% – lower than Kelantan, Kedah, Terengganu, Pahang, Negeri Sembilan etc that do not record as many Covid-19 cases as Johor.

It is obvious that Johor has not received the vaccines that we need.

During Phase 1 of the national immunisation plan, 71,623 Johoreans received 1 dose of the vaccine and 66,883 Johoreans received 2 doses of the vaccine.

However under Phase 2, only 68,920 Johoreans received 1 dose of the vaccine and 8,593 Johoreans received 2 doses of the vaccine.

It is crystal clear that Phase 2 of the immunisation plan does not move as fast as it should in Johor.

A few suggestions for the Johor MB and Johor State Government: –

1. Set up more PPVs
   – The State Government should offer suitable halls under PBT to CITF as PPV free of charge so that more PPVs can be set up with minimum cost.
   
2. Recruit more volunteers
   – Under the current volunteer recruitment system through KBS, each volunteer must be on duty 6 hours per shift for at least seven (7) consecutive days. The State Government should recruit more volunteers under more flexible terms to be stationed at PPVs to ensure the smooth running of PPVs, especially when we enter Phase 3.
   
3. Conduct mass testing and vaccination in industrial areas
   – In the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Johor , 40.8% of the cases came from industrial areas. In Johor, the 3 districts with the highest Covid-19 cases are Johor Bahru, Kulai, and Muar. This is because these 3 districts are heavily industrialised.

When we retain total lockdown as an option, it must come with an economic relief package, mass testing, and large scale vaccination. The state government should set up vaccination teams that move from one industrial area to another so that we can bring down industrial infection.

The discussion between the Johor Chief Minister, top state government servants, Members of Parliament, and state assemblypersons today is a good start. However, more follow-up actions are needed to translate words into action. This is the first discussion, and I hope that it won’t be the last.

Teo Nie Ching
MP for Kulai
DAP Johor Deputy Chairperson