Shukri said the government had the right to use its emergency powers for this purpose if it deems it necessary for the people’s welfare.
“In Islam, the government has the authority to make decisions for the public’s welfare. If it previously gave room (for voluntary registrations) and failed to achieve its target, then it is reasonable for the government to make it mandatory.
“The government can also use its powers to impose any punishment, the same way some are compounded for breaching SOPs. This is all for the sake of the people’s welfare, in line with the relevant laws,” he told FMT.
Shukri added that in a previous meeting between state muftis and health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, he had proposed for vaccines to be made compulsory except for cases where it was not medically advisable.
“Although compulsory, there are certain exemptions. Like in Islam, it’s compulsory to fast, but for those who are sick, it’s fine not to fast.”
Earlier today, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin told the Covid-19 vaccine supply access guarantee special committee (JKJAV) to study making vaccinations mandatory.
He said this needed to be considered if the number of registrations for vaccinations remains low and fails to meet the government’s target for herd immunity.
Muhyiddin also said Putrajaya was mulling taking action against those who were anti-vaccine.
In order to boost public confidence in vaccines, Shukri advised religious scholars against giving views that would confuse or cause people to turn down the jabs.
“Differences in opinion are allowed in Islam, but in an emergency, if the government has decided, then all must comply.
“To the wider community, heed the government’s call and take the vaccines, because it’s in everybody’s interest. We see how religious activities can’t be carried out because of Covid-19, the economy is affected, schools are closed.
“All this must be taken into account by those who question the need for vaccines. In the UK, everything is back to normal because they’ve all been vaccinated,” he said.
Shukri added that Malaysian muftis were not the only ones agreeing with taking vaccines, pointing out that ulama globally had agreed that the jabs were important and necessary to curb the virus.
CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST DATA ON THE COVID-19 SITUATION IN MALAYSIA