ALOR SETAR: The Sultan of Kedah has voiced his disappointment over the rising Covid-19 cases in the state and wants the vaccination programme to be ramped up.

       Sultan Sallehuddin ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah said only 31.8% of the adult population in Kedah had received two vaccine doses, while 55% had received one dose.

       “If no serious steps are taken, Kedah will be left behind in reaching herd immunity,” the Ruler said in a statement released by the palace yesterday.

       His Royal Highness urged all parties, including hospitals, medical practitioners, corporate bodies and the private sector, to join forces to ensure that the vaccination programme was a success.

       “There is also a need to ramp up inoculation with more vaccination supply,” the statement said.

       His Royal Highness commended frontliners and volunteers who were working tirelessly and prayed that God would reward them for their selfless sacrifices.

       On Kedah’s Public-Private Partnership Industrial Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (Pikas) programme, the Malaysian Investment Development Authority said 56,000 workers had received the first dose so far.

       Its director Mohd Harun Elik said another 40,000 workers would be vaccinated soon.

       “We hope to get all workers inoculated over the next few weeks at the two vaccination centres (PPV) in the state,” he said.

       Both Kedah and Penang have seen a surge in daily Covid-19 cases over the past few weeks.

       Yesterday, Penang recorded 1,275 new cases while Kedah posted 1,863 new cases.

       Our turn soon: Retail industry workers waiting to get their Covid-19 vaccine dose under the Retail Industry Vaccination programme at Gurney Paragon Mall in George Town. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star

       In George Town, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state would continue to work with the relevant agencies to ensure that the vaccination targets were achieved.

       “Penang is on schedule to fully vaccinate its adult population with the first dose by early September,” he said during a press conference after visiting the Retail Industry Vaccination programme at Gurney Paragon Mall here yesterday.

       Meanwhile, the Pikas programme for factories in Penang is also on schedule.

       Ministry of International Trade and Industry Penang director Jegan Subramaniam said 190,000 workers had received their first dose while another 91,000 had gotten their second dose.

       “The programme is on track and we will definitely reach the target of vaccinating 250,000 workers though no deadline has been fixed,” he said.

       On the reported shortage of vaccines, Jegan said the programme was not affected as the supply was scheduled much earlier.

       “Penang is in Phase Two of the National Recovery Plan, so only 40% of workers are working from home,” he said.