PETALING JAYA: Selangor Ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has voiced disappointment that kafa (religious) teachers, including some 450 national school teachers, are refusing to get vaccinated.

       The Sultan of Selangor said he was informed that 268 teachers of national primary schools and 182 teachers of national secondary schools in Selangor had declined the jab.

       This will also put students of these schools in danger, said Sultan Sharafuddin in a statement yesterday, adding that the matter has to be given attention by the relevant parties.

       His Royal Highness said he had received a detailed report from the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) director regarding the status of Covid-19 vaccinations among religious teachers, mosque and surau officials as well as jurunikah (officials to solemnise marriage) in Selangor.

       He noted that 326 kafa teachers in Selangor have yet to be vaccinated, while 95 kafa teachers have refused it.

       Another 59 mosque officials and nine jurunikah in Selangor have not been vaccinated, while 11 other mosque officials and six jurunikah have declined shots.

       The Sultan of Selangor warned religious teachers and mosque officials in the state who refuse the Covid-19 vaccine that they could be barred from carrying out their duties.

       “For this group who has refused to be vaccinated, I am very upset as they will endanger themselves and the public. I worry if there are still kafa teachers who are unvaccinated. It can cause harm to students.”

       He also noted that medical experts have already confirmed that vaccination was the only way to tackle the spread of Covid-19 for now, and that the government is also working towards creating herd immunity to reduce the risk of higher infections in the future.

       The Selangor Ruler said that the state had already issued fatwa or religious edicts that Covid-19 vaccination is permissible for Muslims, adding that the public should not have doubts about receiving the vaccine.

       He said issues regarding vaccine acceptance had also been mentioned multiple times in Friday sermons for Muslims and in his previous media statements.

       The Selangor Sultan urged all those in Selangor to get vaccinated against Covid-19 for their own benefit and that of the community.

       Last Friday, Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim met with 799 teachers who had declined to take the vaccine.

       Tunku Ismail said he had also shared information with the teachers about the vaccination programme in Johor, as well as the latest development of the Covid-19 situation in the state.