PETALING JAYA: Selangor Ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has expressed disappointment that religious (Kafa) teachers and some 450 teachers in national type schools in the state have refused to be vaccinated against Covid-19.

       The Sultan said he was informed that 268 teachers of national primary schools and 182 teachers of national secondary schools in Selangor have refused to take the vaccine.

       "This can also put students in Selangor in danger and this matter has to be given attention by relevant parties," he said in a statement on Thursday (Sept 2).

       His Royal Highness said he had received a detailed report from the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) director regarding the status of Covid-19 vaccination among Islamic religious teachers, mosque and surau officials as well as jurunikah (officials who solemnise marriages) in Selangor under the department.

       He noted that 326 Kafa teachers in Selangor had yet to receive the vaccine, while 95 Kafa teachers refused to take it.

       A further 59 mosque officials and nine jurunikah in Selangor had yet to receive the vaccine, while 11 other mosque officials and six jurunikah refused it.

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

       "For this group that 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," the Sultan said.

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

       The Selangor Ruler added 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 accepting the Covid-19 vaccine had also been mentioned multiple times in Friday sermons for Muslims and in his previous media statements.

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

       On Friday (Aug 27), Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim met with some 799 teachers in the state who had declined to take the Covid-19 vaccine.

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