KOTA BHARU: The Kelantan government wants a study to be carried out to ensure that the Covid-19 vaccine is shariah-compliant, Deputy Menteri Besar Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah said today.
He said the study is crucial to increase the confidence of the people, especially Muslims, to receive the vaccine as a preventive treatment for Covid-19.
“Some people totally reject the vaccine, which to me is not appropriate, in terms of religion, because the vaccine is also a way for us to fight against the disease. So, if it is halal and does not contradict shariah, it is not wrong to get the vaccine.
“However, we want the federal government to conduct a thorough study and refer to the religious authorities or the fatwa council to avoid a polemic in the society,” he told reporters here today.
On Nov 7, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin announced that the government would start making orders for the Covid-19 vaccine through an allocation of more than RM3 billion in the 2021 budget.
Malaysia is on the priority list to receive the vaccine from China, however, it has caused controversy among Muslims who doubt its halal status.
On the conditional movement control order (CMCO) in Kelantan, Amar urged residents to continue to adhere to the prescribed SOPs to curb the spread of Covid-19.
“If everyone complies with the SOPs, it means the CMCO will not be extended, but it depends on the Covid-19 situation. That is why we want the people to discipline themselves so that the number of cases does not increase.
“However, if it does increase, then the government has no choice but to extend the CMCO,” he said.
A 14-day CMCO was enforced in Kelantan on Nov 24 following the increase in Covid-19 cases in the state.
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