SULTAN of Kedah Al Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah has called on the state government to have proper and clear planning, especially in religious activities, in a bid to move to the Covid-19 endemic phase.

Sultan Sallehuddin said the standard operating procedures also need to be reviewed so that they are suited for the endemic situation.

“I believe that with the commitment of the menteri besar (Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor) and Kedah state executive council members, the desire to overcome the pandemic will materialise,” he said when opening the first meeting of the fourth session of the 14th Kedah state legislative assembly today.

“I also would like to express my appreciation and gratitude to all frontline personnel. They are our heroes.”

He hoped that the economic recovery plan, which is being drawn up by the state government, will provide a ray of hope to the people of Kedah.

He also hoped that the Covid-19 vaccination programme in the state would be sped up so that it will achieve herd immunity as soon as possible.

“I was made to understand that the vaccination rate in Kedah is over 50%. However, I want this performance to be improved to enable the economic and social sectors to fully reopen soon,” he said.

As such, the sultan said, attention must be given to groups that lack internet connectivity to register for vaccination and senior citizens with transport problems.

“The state government must act wisely in facing the anti-vaccine group who can thwart efforts to achieve herd immunity,” he said.

“Inaccurate information and fake news that can distort the minds of the people must be addressed immediately.”

Sultan Sallehuddin also said cooperation and careful preparation are needed to ensure the success of the tourism bubble pilot project in Pulau Langkawi.

“These efforts should not be limited to Pulau Langkawi. Instead, they must be expanded to other tourist destinations in Kedah as a preparation for full reopening (of the tourism industry) in the future,” he said.

The sultan said the political crisis at the federal level may have been resolved but the appointment of the new leadership through closed negotiation is not the absolute solution.

“This is just an emergency measure in facing a much bigger problem. The period until the next general election is critical and requires the unity of all quarters, especially politicians, to address the current health and economic issues,” he added. – Bernama. September 20, 2021.