MALAYSIANS in Myanmar have resorted to other means to get Covid-19 vaccinations which are only available to locals.

They told The Malaysian Insight that they had to use “connections” to get their shots.

“As a foreigner, it has been extremely difficult for me to get my vaccine but I managed to get my first shot through a connection,” said a Malaysian who only wants to be known as Lat.

However, he did not want to reveal his connection or how he procured the vaccine.

Lat said they had been forced to seek out these connections because of a slow vaccination rollout by the Malaysian embassy in Yangon.

The situation has also been made worse as Myanmar is now under military rule following a coup in February.

Lat said the Malaysian embassy was only now arranging for the vaccines to be dispatched to Malaysians in Myanmar.

“It’s a bit too late. Many of us have already made our own arrangements to get vaccine shots. Boleh mati kalau tunggu (We could die if we wait)” he said.

Lat also alleged that the Indian, Thai and Philippines embassies have already completed the vaccination for their expatriate population.

A letter dated August 23, that was sighted by The Malaysian Insight, stated that the Malaysian embassy in Myanmar had informed the Malaysian-Myanmar Business Chamber (MMBC) that it would be getting 2,000 doses of Sinovac vaccines.

However, Wisma Putra said there was still no decision from the Malaysian government on Covid-19 vaccines for Malaysians abroad.

“The MMBC is pursuing efforts with various stakeholders to help Malaysians get vaccinated.

“The processes set by the Ministry of Health of Myanmar are tedious,” Wisma Putra said when contacted by The Malaysian Insight.

Another Malaysian, who only wanted to be known as Ram, said he received his first dose in July and is still waiting for his second shot.

“I am not sure whether I will be able to get my second dose as I’m depending solely on the ‘connections’ I have,” he said.

A third Malaysian, Saiful, said he received his vaccine through the private sector that had offered it for a price.

“Our embassy should have stepped in and helped the Malaysians here get the vaccine, as it is the only option for us since the junta took over,” he said.

The Covid-19 situation in Myanmar has been worrying with the country reporting more than 410,000 active cases and an overall death toll nearing 15,800.

Myanmar is aiming for 50% of its adult population, or 17 million people, to be vaccinated by the end of this year, but there are difficulties on the ground in achieving that goal.

The New Light of Myanmar reported on August 6 that only about 1.8 million people or 6.08% of the targeted population, had been vaccinated.

Businesses suffering

Malaysian businessmen in Myanmar also said revenue had dropped by more than 50% during the junta rule.

Lat, who is in the food and beverage industry, said he barely made any sales since the junta took over, and could not afford to pay his staff.

He added that he was barely surviving and needed to be extra careful when moving around as bomb threats and shootings were a part of daily life.

“It is best for me to limit my movements as there is a possibility of bomb threats near my area,” he said.

Saiful, who is a project manager in Yangon, said business has been extremely poor due to the civil disobedience movement and also the pandemic.

The movement started by pro-democracy activists, including medical professionals, announced on social media in February that more than 70 hospitals and medical departments would stop work in protest of what it called an “illegitimate” government.

Since the coup, the movement has attracted support from a broad range of professions, led by healthcare workers.

Bankers, lawyers, teachers and engineers across the nation have demanded the military return the elected government to power, refusing to return to work.

Ram, who is in the IT industry, said that life has become harder as there are many restrictions under the military government.

“Businesses have resumed with 50% working in office and 50% from home, but it is still bad,” he said.

Earlier this year, the Malaysian embassy said it had more than 600 Malaysians registered in Myanmar, mostly comprising businessmen and professionals working with various companies.

The embassy now estimates that about 250 Malaysians have returned to Malaysia for various reasons, particularly economic matters. – September 7, 2021.