KUALA LUMPUR: National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (NIP) Coordinating Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said discussions with the Home Ministry are ongoing over the continuous crackdowns on illegal immigrants in the country.
Khairy, who is the Science, Technology and Innovation Minister, said this when asked to comment on concerns raised by several non-governmental organisations that the ongoing crackdown will prevent undocumented migrants from coming forward to get vaccinated.
"We are discussing this issue with the Home Ministry. As far as I am concerned, we need to vaccinate everyone in Malaysia.
"However, until these discussions are conclusive, I do not want to cross fire with my colleague, the minister," he said.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin was reported as defending the ongoing crackdown against illegal immigrants and that such operations would actually help the undocumented migrants get vaccinated.
Hamzah had said that undocumented migrants would not come out to be vaccinated if the raids were not carried out.
"By conducting enforcement, we can rope in employers and embassies to verify and issue identification papers.
"This will enable them to get registered for vaccinations and get themselves documented too," Hamzah had said.
Khairy had previously assured that undocumented migrants would not be detained or deported should they come forward to get vaccinated.