SEVERAL local celebrities have spoken out against Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin’s previous warning that the Government will “continue to make life difficult” for those who refuse to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
The minister had however added that this would not apply to those who have valid medical reasons for not being vaccinated.
In an Instagram post, actor and comedian Zul Yahya said that those who had refused vaccination against COVID-19 are not criminals or terrorists.
“Those who have not taken the COVID-19 vaccine barely make up 10% of the population and they are not criminals nor terrorists but comprise religious people and also those who have contributed a lot to the country and its people,” he told Khairy.
“Don’t be too arrogant in your decision that you restrict the freedom of people who want to live well.”
While the Gerak Khas actor never explicitly confessed to being an anti-vaxxer, he had previously insinuated the sentiment through multiple online posts.
He once recommended “fennel flower and honey” as natural remedies during the pandemic and had frequently recirculated anti-vaccine statements to his 237,000 online followers, including one blaming the COVID-19 vaccine as being “deadlier” than the disease as it was drawing long queues outside vaccination centres.
Malaysian actress Rita Rudaini had similarly expressed her displeasure over Khairy’s announcement via a series of Insta-stories.
“Even your fate remains in the hands of God,” she pointed out in one Insta-story.
“Those who are unvaccinated will be restricted by other human beings whereas God has never restricted sinners from enjoying the world that He has created,” she wrote in another.
Rita went on to defend her stand, pointing out that whether she is an anti-vaxxer or pro-safe, she is simply expressing her opinion as a tax-paying citizen.
“Don’t tell me I am anti-government simply because I am speaking out,” the actress stressed.
The actress had previously courted controversy when she uploaded a series of Instagram stories defending people who refuse to take the COVID-19 vaccine.
“Why are those who refuse the vaccine called ‘antivaxxers?’” Rita asked. “Everyone has their own rights.”
She later said: “Kids are forcing their poor elderly parents to get the vaccine… they can’t even walk … What are the parents going to do after their jabs? Go to Paris or Milan?” – Oct 18, 2021
