Malaysia Hindu Sangam to distribute vaccine pamphlets at temples

PUTRAJAYA, Feb 18 — The Malaysia Hindu Sangam (MHS) will assist the Communications and Multimedia Ministry in providing exposure and information to the Hindu community on the National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme which begins on Feb 26.

Its minister, Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said the association agreed to help distribute pamphlets on the vaccination programme at nearly 2,000 temples nationwide.

“Some temples are in remote locations, so the association has offered to distribute the pamphlets on the country’s largest vaccination programme,” he told reporters after an online engagement session with MHS at his ministry, here, today.

The over an hour session was attended by Malaysia Hindu Sangam president, Datuk R.S. Mohan Shan and the ministry’s deputy secretary-general (Strategic Communication and Creative Industry), Tan Chuan Ou.

Saifuddin said Indian Hindus should be given exposure to the vaccination programme as they were not spared from getting the COVID-19 vaccine.

“Those who live in rural areas, especially the elderly, are among the groups that will be vaccinated after the frontline staff,” he added.

During the session, Saifuddin also said that MHS expressed concern over the existence of films on Netflix which were said to be inconsistent with the teachings of Hinduism and the country’s culture.

“They also informed about the spread of fake news among the Hindu community and asked for the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC)’s cooperation to address it… this matter will be looked into,” he added.

Mohan Shan had said they were ready to assist the government in any aspect, including distributing pamphlets on the vaccination programme at temples.

“We have individuals who can help distribute the pamphlets and we will also use social media to ensure that every segment of society gets authentic and correct information,” he said.

— BERNAMA