SEREMBAN: Nineteen state government employees who have refused to be vaccinated against Covid-19 have been ordered to return to active duty, says Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun.

       The Mentri Besar said it was not fair to allow these individuals to continue to be given light duties that did not involve interaction with the public.

       "We have tried many ways to convince them including getting individuals including experts, counsellors and those who became really sick with Covid-19 to advise them but they are still refusing the vaccination.

       "We need to be fair to those who have been vaccinated as they have been shouldering the tasks of those who have refused the vaccines," he told reporters after chairing the state exco meeting at Wisma Negri on Wednesday (Feb 16).

       He said some 99.5% of the 6,583 state government employees have been vaccinated while nine have been given exemptions due to health reasons.

       Citing an example, Aminuddin said a religious teacher at a secondary school who had refused the Covid-19 vaccination has been working from home and her duties in school were given to her colleagues.

       "Since the students have also been vaccinated, she has to return to school now," said Aminuddin.

       "She will have to teach at her own risk," he added, saying that it was not fair that those who had not been vaccinated be given lighter work although they enjoyed the same remuneration as others.

       He said the 19 who refused Covid-19 vaccinations were from 13 different departments and agencies.

       Asked if these 19 would be still considered for promotions and other perks such as excellent service awards, Aminuddin said the state government will wait for an announcement from the Public Service Department on this.

       Aminuddin said the number of state employees who had taken their Covid-19 booster shots was also low.

       He said only 675 have taken the jabs while 85 have refused to do so.

       He said the authorities will continue to convince them to take the booster shot for their own benefit.

       "We cannot compel them to take it as it’s not compulsory. It is my hope the state health authorities will continue to advise them so that they will do so," he said.

       On a separate matter, Aminuddin said nine schools in the state have been closed temporarily after several students tested positive for Covid-19.

       Five are government primary schools and the remaining three, secondary institutions.

       "The schools have been closed between two days and two weeks depending on the number of cases.

       "If only students in one class have tested positive, then the school will be ordered to close for one week so we can do the necessary such as carry out sanitisation work and trace close contacts," he added.

       He said as of Feb 15, there were 27 active clusters in the state as against only 15 on Jan 27.

       Of the 27, a total of 21 were education clusters.