State Local Government and Housing Minister Dr Sim Kui Hian said this was because the hospital was recognised for its world-class clinical trials and there was also a clinical research centre there.

“SGH is one of the nine hospitals selected by the health ministry to conduct a clinical trial for this vaccine from China.

“It is a clinical trial and not a vaccination programme involving the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine that Malaysia has purchased,” he told reporters today.

“So, don’t listen to some political opportunists who are trying to mislead the people,” he said, referring to Parti Bumi Kenyalang president Voon Lee Shan who claimed that the call for volunteers to take part in the Covid-19 clinical trial showed there were doubts about the vaccine’s safety.

“We can’t rely on only one single type of Covid-19 vaccine. So there needs to be clinical trials for other vaccines to be conducted from time to time,” he said.

Sim also said the state was making preparations for the storage and distribution of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine once the country received its supply. This is to ensure the vaccine reaches the rural and interior areas of Sarawak in good condition.

“Once the vaccine arrives in Malaysia next month, we want our fair share in Sarawak – for the most vulnerable and high risk groups, especially the elderly and frontliners.

“The state government will pay for anyone who is not entitled to a free vaccine by the federal government,” he said.

He urged Sarawakians to continue observing SOPs strictly and not to plan any Chinese New Year open house events or visits as Covid-19 was spreading to the rural areas.

“I know we are close to the arrival of the vaccine but it is also a most dangerous time, and if people start to get complacent it could lead to another new wave of infections.

“Last time, we didn’t have Covid-19 cases in longhouses and rural areas, but recently the virus has spread to longhouses and villages in Pusa, Sri Aman, Kapit and Meradong.

“I don’t want Sarawak to end up like other states, with hundreds of cases reported each day as there are only about 800 beds at the SGH.”

Calling on everyone to play their role, he hoped there would be no need for another MCO in Sarawak.

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