THE forceful approach used by Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin on Malaysians who refuse the Covid-19 vaccination is unacceptable, opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said today.

According to Anwar, the government should instead raise awareness about the advantages and benefits of being vaccinated among those who refuse the Covid-19 vaccination.

“I do not support the anti-vaccination group but sometimes their arguments are strong too.

“So, we answer with our point, they provide a scientific paper and then we bring a stronger scientific argument to break theirs.

“Don’t resort to punishment and threats, this is an arrogant method and we cannot accept it,” the Port Dickson MP said in Hulu Selangor today.

Yesterday, Khairy said the government will “continue to make life difficult” for individuals who refuse to get the Covid-19 jab.

“Sorry to say, if you are not vaccinated because you choose not to be vaccinated, then we will make life very difficult for you and continue to make life difficult for you.

“Cannot dine at restaurants, cannot go into shopping centres, and we will be releasing a national testing strategy next week… then we will probably ask you to take regular tests, for which you have to pay. The message is to get vaccinated,” he said.

Anwar added that the focus now should be on inoculating those who want to take the vaccine, rather than forcing the anti-vaxxers.

However, Anwar also said that those who refuse the vaccine are not legally at fault.

“How can we put pressure on them when, legally, they are not wrong, that’s number one.

“Secondly, when I say we should approach them, we should implore, coax them when explaining to them and answer their queries,” Anwar said. – October 17, 2021.