In a statement, the Umno leader said the government needs to seriously consider expanding its vaccine arsenal to allay the concerns of the people.
So far, he said Malaysia had only approved the use of three vaccines while many other countries have approved other vaccines.
“Even the World Health Organization (WHO) has listed Johnson & Johnson, Moderna and Sinopharm for worldwide emergency use. Surely they can’t all be wrong?
“I understand the relevant authorities’ need (for the vaccines) to undergo the necessary due diligence, but we cannot follow normal procedures under abnormal circumstances.”
The authorities, he said, must be in line with other international bodies in issuing emergency approval quickly.
Hishammuddin said bureaucracy was also a barrier to the offer for help from other countries.
The Sembrong MP said such offers should be met with a sense of eagerness and not reluctance.
“The burden remains on us in the ministry on whether to accept or refuse assistance.
“Should these offers not be met with enthusiasm and positivity, therein lies the risk of jeopardising our diplomatic relations or worse, our nation’s integrity on the global stage. I feel this is not a risk worth taking.”
He also spoke on the need for consistency in SOPs and the pursuit of mass testing, something health experts and political leaders have been calling for.
Mass testing, he said, allowed for quick testing, tracing and isolation, ultimately ensuring outbreaks can be better managed.
“But to achieve this, we need a plan, to either increase our lab capacities, procure more test kits or subsidise testing for the masses.”
He said the combination of a strict lockdown, a focus on vaccination and testing will allow for a systematic transition from pandemic to normalcy.
Hishammuddin said these are extraordinary times, and that more agility and flexibility in governance were needed.
“The greatest tragedy for Malaysia is if we are unable to reflect on our own mistakes and weaknesses. We must strive never to repeat them.
“If we do not change for the better, how will we be able to face even more challenges in the post-pandemic era, such as new variants and mutations, the future of our children’s education, the state of our mental health, and the fate of our economy?”
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