KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) is ready to assist efforts to combat Covid-19 in five states with high infection rates, says Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein (pic).

       The Senior Minister said efforts to manage and remedy the situation at the five states - Sabah, Johor, Kedah, Penang and Kelantan - will be a priority for the MAF.

       "As I mentioned previously, among the main thrust of the MAF is to fulfil the national agenda in combating the virus.

       "The MAF has sufficient infrastructure, assets and expertise and is ready to be deployed at any time," he told a press conference at the Defence Ministry on Thursday (Sept 2).

       On Wednesday (Sept 1), Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the Health Ministry will be shifting its Covid-19 focus towards five states that have seen a rapid rise in infections.

       He had said Sabah, Johor, Kedah, Penang and Kelantan will be given boosts in terms of vaccination supply and human resource deployment in order to bring the infections in those states under control.

       In line with such efforts, Hishammuddin, who is also Defence Minister, said the MAF is ready to assist with various efforts, especially in building field hospitals at states identified by the Health Ministry.

       "The field hospitals will be able to give treatment to Covid-19 patients, especially those at Stage 3 and above.

       "I believe the assistance of the MAF will lessen the burden of the Health Ministry in such states," he added.

       The MAF is also ready to deploy its vaccination team in efforts to boost vaccination at the five states, especially in rural areas, Hishammuddin said.

       "The MAF is also ready to render assistance in other states including establishing drive through vaccination.

       "The military is only waiting for confirmation of locations from the Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force (CITF)," he said.