GOVERNMENT and employers must respect every person’s right and freedom to refuse vaccination due to various reasons, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) said today. 

In a statement, Suhakam said while certain restrictions are imposed upon those who have yet to complete their vaccination, such as prohibiting dine-in at restaurants, it should not, however, hinder anyone from enjoying their basic human rights, for instance, access to education, food and medical treatment.

It also said that the current restrictions should only be enforced as a temporary measure until herd immunity has been achieved or when the epidemic transitions into an endemic phase. 

Suhakam had received several complaints on allegations of discrimination from unvaccinated individuals, including denied permission to return to work and denied access into public premises, as well as being forced to pay for Covid-19 tests. 

“Employers must avoid imposing mandatory vaccination requirements on their employees or penalising employees who refuse to be vaccinated,” Suhakam said in the statement.

“Instead, employers may provide incentives to encourage their employees to be vaccinated.”

Suhakam also called on the government to immediately address the issue by having a balanced approach between public health priorities and the right for these individuals to be treated fairly. 

“The government could look into the possibility of expanding the role and function of the Covid-19 mediation centres (PMC-19), to include assistance for employees who are disputing Covid-19 related issues with their employers such as their vaccination status,” it said.

The Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force (CITF), on September 21, reported that 80.2% of the adult population in Malaysia had been fully vaccinated. 

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the ministry is working towards covering the remaining 20% of the adult population who have yet to or refuse to be vaccinated. – September 25, 2021.