Open-top bus steals limelight at Felda settlement
MARAN: An open-top double-decker bus that was modified into a mobile vaccination centre has become the highlight of a community outreach programme in Felda Jengka 3 here.
The Felda settlement was the first destination for the Community Vaccine Mobilisation (Movak) programme.
The bus houses seven vaccination stations inside.
The bus made its debut yesterday, travelling along several main roads in Felda Jengka 3 and Jengka 2 to remind those who have received their vaccination appointments on the Mysejahtera app to show up.
The two-day Movak programme which began yesterday, involved five buses that were converted into vaccination centres for 1,600 residents in Felda Jengka 3, Felda Jengka 2 and Felda Ulu Jempol.
Felda Jengka 3 resident D. Lingeesvary, 27, said the programme made it easier for her family to get vaccinated because they did not have to travel to Maran, located some 30km away.
“We registered for vaccinations under the Mysejahtera app nearly two months ago and finally, we received our appointments for today. It’s so easy because everyone got the same date.
“I’m happy because I’m the one who buys all the necessities for the family. Being vaccinated is definitely a big relief for me as it offers me some measure of protection besides the use of face masks,” she said.
Kassim Mahmud, 78, and his wife, Mariam Daud, 71, hope that the vaccination will open up opportunities for them to meet family members living outside Maran.
“We dare not go out and our family members are also worried about coming here.
“Of course, we do miss them (our children and grandchildren) so much. When we heard the news about possible exemptions for those who have completed their vaccinations, we hoped to receive our shots immediately,” said Kassim.
Abdul Rahman Mohamed, a manager at Elang Wah Sdn Bhd, the company that operates the KL Hop-on Hop-off bus service in the capital, said the mobile vaccination programme was a double boon.
He said not only did the programme help the government speed up efforts to achieve herd immunity, it also ensured the survival of those badly affected by the closure of the tourism sector.
“The last time we served tourists was in March last year and since then, 20 of our buses have been in the depot in Sentul, Kuala Lumpur, waiting for the time when we can finally operate again.
“The absence of tourists has forced us to lay off 110 workers as we can only afford to keep four of them.
“If we continue to be involved with the vaccination programme, at least I can hope to recall more workers,” he told reporters during the programme at the Semai Bakti Hall yesterday.
On top of the Movak programme, Abdul Rahman said the buses were ready to help with the implementation of the Public-private Partnership Covid-19 Industry Immunisation Programme.
Also present during the programme was Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ismail Abd Muttalib. — Bernama