Terengganu police chief Rohaimi Md Isa said so far, 23 people of various backgrounds have had their statements taken to assist in the investigation.

He said all of them admitted to not receiving actual Covid-19 vaccine doses.

“Some of them admitted to taking injections of distilled water or saltwater on the grounds that they were still getting the shots, even though they were not the vaccine,” he told a press conference at the state contingent police headquarters here today.

He was commenting on the progress of an investigation into a doctor at a private clinic who had been arrested for allegedly issuing fake Covid-19 vaccination certificates.

Rohaimi said investigations found that 1,223 names were sent to the clinic for the purpose of vaccinations under the national immunisation programme and to issue digital certificates through MySejahtera.

“However, we believe that not all of them were given the actual vaccines,” he said.

Rohaimi said he was informed that the health ministry had blocked the clinic from issuing further vaccination certificates.

“The certificates issued by the clinic are not valid. The police have also been assisted by employers who cooperated when they suspected that their employees were involved with the clinic’s activities,” he said.

On Jan 8, a 51-year-old male doctor was nabbed on suspicion of selling fake vaccination certificates.

The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code. The suspect has been released on police bail pending further action by the public prosecutor.