KUALA LUMPUR: Praising Malaysia’s success in its vaccination coverage and the handling of Covid-19, the King hopes that the country’s transition into the endemic phase will be done carefully.

       Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah also urged the people to obtain the Covid-19 vaccine booster dose to ensure optimum level of immunity against the new variant.

       “While the nation at the moment is increasingly ready to enter the endemic phase, we hope that the transition will be made carefully.

       “We support the National Covid-19 testing strategy and the affirmative action taken by the government to reduce the price of self-test kits as a means to strengthen public health actions and community empowerment.

       “Such an approach will enable the safe opening of economic and social sectors,” said the King in the royal address delivered at the First Meeting of the Fifth Session of the 14th Parliament here yesterday.

       Malaysia, said His Majesty, had succeeded in being among the best in Asia, ranking 13th out of 122 countries in the Nikkei Asia Covid-19 Recovery Index, while the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme had achieved complete vaccination coverage of up to 98% of the adult population.

       “To ensure optimum level of immunity and guard against the new Covid-19 variant, we urge the people to obtain the booster dose provided by the government,” said the King.

       After having contracted 5.6% in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the King said Malaysia’s economic growth of 3.1% in 2021 showed the effectiveness of the government’s RM530bil economic assistance and stimulus packages in addition to the annual Budget allocation.

       Malaysia’s outstanding trade performance last year also saw the country breaching the RM2 trillion mark for the first time, with total exports valued at RM1.24 trillion, added the King.

       “Consequently, the nation’s total export target of RM1.25 trillion for 2025 as outlined in the 12th Malaysia Plan has been achieved four years earlier.

       “We believe this success reflects foreign investors’ confidence in our economic fundamentals and investment ecosystem,” said His Majesty.

       The King also expressed his great appreciation for the loyalty and invaluable contributions by the nation’s front line personnel, civil service, the Armed Forces, the police as well as government agencies who had rendered their services to make Malaysia a peaceful and prosperous nation.

       “Their contributions are huge and beyond the call of duty.

       “May all public servants remain committed, dedicated and always focused on constantly improving the quality of services for the well-being of our people,” said His Majesty.

       At the same time, the King said the well-being of public servants – whether currently serving or retired, including Armed Forces veterans – must continue to be taken care of.

       The Dewan Rakyat meeting will run for 16 days until March 24 while the Dewan Negara meeting, which was opened simultaneously, will last for nine days beginning March 21.