KOTA BARU: Religious teachers under the Kelantan Islamic Foundation (YIK) who refused to take part in Covid-19 vaccination programmes, have been called for counselling.
Deputy Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah said the teachers were called by YIK’s officers for counselling sessions recently.
“I cannot provide the exact number of YIK teachers who refused vaccination but the figure is likely less than 30 people.
“The counselling sessions went smoothly and we were informed that there are positive results.
“Basically, they understood the reason they were called by the YIK officers,” he told reporters after presenting aid to farmers yesterday.
Mohd Amar who is also Panchor assemblyman said the religious teachers have also given their co-operation during the sessions which lasted more than an hour.
He said the state government believes the counselling sessions were enough to educate the religious teachers on the importance of Covid-19 vaccination and there is no need for any further action against them.
“At the moment, we will continue with counselling sessions to approach teachers who refused to get vaccinated.
“We will not force or make the vaccination compulsory until the government decides to do so,” he said.
It is learnt that in Kelantan, not only YIK teachers refused vaccination but also certain imam under the Kelantan Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MAIK).
The imam, however, were already called for counselling.
It is also believed that some of the religious teachers and imam not only refused to be vaccinated but also influenced others not to take the vaccine jabs.
Source: New Straits Times
