KUCHING: The disabled community in Sarawak wants stern action to be taken against VIPs spotted cutting queues at OKU lanes for Covid-19 vaccines in Kuching last month.
Society of the Blind Malaysia (Sarawak branch) chairman Isak Ngau said apologising was not enough as there should be some stern action and compounds imposed against the VIPs.
"There must be some stricter action against these queue jumpers to serve as a lesson and example to the public – that they should not belittle the disabled," he said.
"We urge the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) to be firm and not practice double standards," he said.
Last month, the Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas had apologised and assured that that such incidents would not happen again after photos of VIPs, including politicians and their spouses cutting queues for Covid-19 vaccinations using the OKU lane, went viral on social media.
Apart from that, Isak said the Sarawak government needs to expedite Covid-19 vaccinations for the OKU in the state as they are among those in the high-risk groups.
He said the government should prioritise the OKU and their family members or those staying in the same households, to reduce risks of getting infected.
"We believe the Welfare Department can also help to ensure all the OKU are vaccinated as soon as possible as the department has all the details, including how to contact us," he said in a statement today.
"Besides, we had also registered for the vaccine via MySejahtera," he said.
He said athletes from the OKU community, including their team managers, coaches and other officers must be vaccinated soon also.
Meanwhile, Persatuan Anak Istimewa Sarawak (Perais) Presiden Rapelson Richard Hamit when contacted said about 100 members had registered for the vaccine, but none have received their doses yet.
"We don't have any issues with the registration but it was disappointing that none of my members have been vaccinated yet.
"We (OKU) are listed as a high risk group, which is supposed to be prioritised," he said.