Located 128km away from Sipitang town, the village is home to over 500 residents.

Village representative Andrew Laban said nearly all or 99% of Long Pasia residents have yet to receive the Covid-19 vaccine.

He said this was due to several factors, including the village’s remote location and lack of modern technology and communication facilities.

“If residents are required to travel to Sipitang to receive their vaccine, the return fare would be around RM80, not to mention expenses for food and drink,” he told FMT.

Andrew said not every resident owned a smartphone, which made it difficult for them to register for the vaccine on the MySejahtera mobile application.

He said many of the villagers, especially the elderly, were unaware of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme and required help to receive their doses.

“There is a rural clinic in Long Pasia and perhaps the vaccination programme can be implemented there or other spots, such as community halls,” he said.

He urged the government to implement the vaccination programme in Long Pasia as soon as possible, along with other rural villages in the state.

According to him, some residents had gone to the clinic to enquire about the vaccine, which showed they were eager for the shot.

He said the current situation had worsened after a telecommunication tower in the area stopped functioning, as the power generator was out of fuel. A bridge at the village’s only entrance had also collapsed recently.

“All the residents don’t have a telephone line now. The lorry that transports diesel for the tower’s power generation is unable to enter the village.

“Although there is an alternative route underneath the collapsed bridge, it is only accessible by small vehicles,” he said.

CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST DATA ON THE COVID-19 SITUATION IN MALAYSIA