SIBU: The public is encouraged to take their second booster dose, especially for those who are at risk, ahead of the upcoming Gawai Dayak festival.
Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian gave the advice when officiating at the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Dudong Branch Pre-Gawai Dayak ceremony yesterday (May 14).
He pointed out that Malaysians were very lucky to have vaccines ready for them unlike other countries such as Indonesia which were still waiting for the vaccines.
“We are very lucky because now there are a lot of vaccines, compared to last year when many were waiting to get the vaccine.
“Therefore, make sure you have received a booster dose, make sure your immunity is strong to celebrate the Gawai festival safely,” he added.
Dr Sim, who is also Minister of Public Health, Housing, and Local Government, praised the united spirit of the people in the state during the vaccination programme.
“Because of your united spirit, you have made Sarawak achieve the highest level of vaccination in the whole of Malaysia.
“The vaccination rate in Sarawak is about 95 percent. We are very proud to be Sarawakians. Because of this, now we feel safe to meet each other physically during the festival unlike for the past two years,” he said.
The SUPP president also expressed his gratitude to all people in Sibu for their full support that resulted in a landslide victory for the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) in the last state election (PRN12).
“Thank you, for your support in the last Sarawak PRN, now we have two elected representatives from SUPP in Sibu,” he said.
He also advised the public not to easily put their trust in political parties from Peninsular Malaysia.
“They (Malayan political parties) are extreme, always quarrel and change the Prime Minister,” he said.
Dr Sim also thanked all SUPP members for their full support of the party for the past 63 years.
“Sixty-three years ago, on June 4, SUPP was started in Sibu. In a few days, we are celebrating 63 years of SUPP in Sarawak.
“Hence, I would like to express my greatest gratitude to all the members of SUPP who have stayed on during the good, bad, and tough times until now,” he said.
Also present were Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government who is also Pelawan assemblyman Michael Tiang Ming Tee, Bukit Assek assemblyman Joseph Chieng Jin Ek, SUPP Dudong Branch advisor Datuk Dr Soon Choon Teck, and SUPP Dudong Branch chairman Wong Ching Yong.
