Malaysia-Thai border control staff to get free vaccinations for the first time

BUKIT KAYU HITAM, July 12 (Bernama) -- In what is seen as a first, the government will provide free vaccinations to 800 staff  from Malaysia's Border Control Agency (AKSEM) at the Malaysia-Thailand border, to prevent the spread of infectious diseases from outside the country.

There has been no such initiative before. The  Home Ministry (KDN) sees the move as a necessity and will provide the vaccinations as soon as possible, given that those on duty at the border are exposed to all kinds of  diseases brought in by immigrants from neighbouring countries, AKSEM Director-General, Datuk Mohamad Ismail said today.

He added that many infectious diseases like tuberculosis, malaria, polio, AIDS, H1N1 and  H5N1, were on the rise which was why it was crucial to protect those who worked in the the border as they were the ones who would first come into contact with foreign nationals.

Mohamad said that AKSEM staff in Perlis, Kedah, Perak and Kelantan would also be given the vaccinations soon as there was already an allocation for it, he told reporters at the AKSEM Aidilfitri open house here. Also present was Kedah AKSEM Commander, Abd Latiff Abdul Rahman.

"There was no such effort before," said Mohamad  suggesting that the government should extend it to staff from other departments who worked at the border.

About 300 members from the Malaysian Immigration Department, the Royal Malaysian Customs Department, and the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) including enforcement representatives from Thailand were present at the event.

Meanwhile, Mohamad refuted allegations of overlapping issues involving AKSEM staff  and other agencies controlling the border saying that they each understood the task and role of an integrated operation.

"Although we don't have enough personnel in comparison to the population increase in border areas, AKSEM has come out with certain methods to ensure that our job is carried out smoothly."

He said that the relevant authorities through integrated operations three times a week had managed to prevent the smuggling of illegal migrants and subsidised goods such as oil and sugar. He reiterated that there was no overlapping of duties.

-- BERNAMA