Anyone who violated the rule, or refused to receive the vaccine, would be subject to disciplinary action, the army said in a statement this evening. All personnel were required to comply with any instructions given to ensure its missions were achieved.

“Vaccination among personnel is compulsory on the basis that the army lives in groups,” the statement said, adding that the army’s responsibility as frontliners put them at risk of contracting Covid-19.

“As such, it is advisable for all army personnel to take the vaccine to curb transmissions that could occur not only among army personnel, but could also infect their family and society as a whole.”

The statement came in the wake of an FMT report of an army sergeant being dishonourably discharged for refusing a vaccination.

Sergeant Wan Ramly Wan Seman told FMT he had 19 years of service, without any disciplinary record and stands to lose his pension for which he would have qualified within 16 months. The order for his discharge takes effect from Thursday.