Let Armed Forces Decide On Soldier Who Refused Vaccine Says Hisham

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Hishammuddin Hussein said unvaccinated military personnel risk infecting their family members and those around them. (Bernama pic)KUALA LUMPUR: Defence minister Hishammuddin Hussein said he will leave it to the armed forces to decide on whether to re-enlist a sergeant who was discharged for refusing the Covid-19 vaccine if he gets himself inoculated.
“I am made to understand that if the sergeant is prepared to be vaccinated, I believe the armed forces will consider re-enlisting him.
“So it is up to him, and the decision (on his fate) must be made by the armed forces,” he told reporters, adding that it was compulsory for personnel to be vaccinated in order to achieve herd immunity.
Wan Ramly Wan Seman was last month given a dishonourable discharge after 19 years of service without any disciplinary record. He stands to lose his pension for which he would have qualified in 16 months.
Hishammuddin said that if military personnel were not vaccinated, they risk infecting their family members and those around them.
Last week, army chief Zamrose Mohd Zain said they were prepared to accept Wan Ramly back on the condition that he gets himself inoculated.
He also said the soldier had undergone four counselling sessions, but had been adamant in refusing the vaccine.
On a separate matter, Hishammuddin said his ministry would set up a committee to coordinate the armed forces’ efforts in the war against the Covid-19 pandemic.
The committee would be headed by his deputy, Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz, who will be tasked with providing weekly updates.
Hishammuddin said the defence ministry and the armed forces had several advantages, including military hospitals nationwide.
“We will be going to the ground to get feedback and suggestions on how we can operate as a team.” - FMT

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