FEW people appear to be aware of the government’s Covid-19 Vaccine Certificate Verifier (VCV) app, which was launched in May, even as more economic sectors reopen, with shopping malls preferring to stick with MySejahtera.

The VCV app user can verify the authenticity of a vaccine certificate by scanning its unique QR code, which will show the certificate holder’s personal details.

But Malaysia Shopping Malls Association president Teo Chiang Kok told The Malaysian Insight that malls are not using the verifier app.

“The security personnel and gatekeepers at the mall are admitting shoppers based on their MySejahtera health status as per the National Security Council’s standard operating procedure (SOP),” he said.

He said some malls are only admitting fully vaccinated shoppers whose vaccination status is available on MySejahtera.

Teo said most people weren’t even aware of the app’s existence.

Sunway Malls spokesman Darren Chear also said the VCV app was unknown.

And since MySejahtera was widely trusted, retailers saw no need for another app, he said.

“Unless there widespread doubt over the authenticity of vaccine certificates, adoption will not be high,” he said.

He said the government should promote the VCV app if it wanted it to be widely used.

According to Healthcare IT News, the app, along with the updated digital health certificate feature, was developed to prevent the circulation of fake vaccine certificates.

The app is available on the Apple App Store, Google Play and Huawei App Gallery.

It is said to also support vaccine certificates issued by Singapore and the European Union.

Malaysian authorities are insisting that all those entering the country who were vaccinated abroad, download the MySejahtera app and apply for a digital vaccine certificate.

A check by The Malaysian Insight in shopping centres in the Klang Valley found that security personnel are only looking at customers’ vaccine certificates in MySejahtera.

A mall security guard who asked to be known as Murugan, said he only has instructions to check the MySejahtera app of customers.

“Every person that walks in is required to open their MySejahtera as a proof that they have been fully vaccinated,” he said.

He looks out for the “fully vaccinated” before allowing them to enter the mall.

Likewise, retail outlets in malls only check the MySejahtera app before allowing customers into their premises.

Another security person who wants to be known as Ras at a Jaya Grocer outlet in a shopping mall said that they also only check the MySejahtera for verification of the customer’s vaccination status.

The security personnel were not aware of the Vaccine Certifier Verifier app.

“From what I know, I have been only told to check the customers MySejahtera before they enter the premise,” he said.

The Health Ministry recently said vaccination certificates in the physical form were being sold online.

Deputy Minister Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali said action would be taken against the sellers, adding that a police report had been filed. – October 7, 2021.