MELAKA: Prudent and safe steps will be taken in conducting the 15th General Election (GE15), says Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

       He said the country is still in the transition to endemicity and the ministry is waiting to assess the impact of this phase.

       “If the transition to the endemic phase does not result in a serious wave (of Covid-19 cases), I feel only then we can hold GE15 as this is not like state elections where we are still able to control many things.“But after this, without any further restrictions, surely political parties will want to hold ceramah. Previously, during the state elections, we did not have large-scale ceramah so, for me, it is better for us to be vigilant and careful,” Bernama quoted him as saying.

       He was responding to Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki’s statement yesterday that there was no reason for not holding GE15 soon as the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the government and Opposition would end after July apart from the Covid-19 situation improving.

       Meanwhile, Khairy also reminded the public to use the right terminology in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic.

       “We are still in a pandemic. And the World Health Organisation has not announced that Covid-19 is no longer a public health emergency of international concern.

       “When it is announced, then only Malaysia will make an announcement that we will no longer use Act 342 (Amendment of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988),” he said.

       In the meantime, Khairy said the government would provide free Covid-19 vaccination to children on certain celebrations such as the National Immunisation Day on June 16 after the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme for Children (PICKids) ended on May 31.“We will open this (vaccination) to those above the age of five. This is a privilege ... as some may have missed out on the vaccination, so we will open this again on certain celebrations,” he said.

       He also reminded parents that children who have reached five years of age will receive free vaccine injections until Jan 31, 2023.