Kelantan sultan consents for palace to be used as jab centre

Kelantan ruler Sultan Muhammad V has given his consent for Istana Balai Besar in Kota Bharu to open its doors to members of the public to facilitate the implementation of the Covid-19 immunisation programme.

Comptroller of the Royal Household Tengku Azmi Tengku Jaafar said Istana Balai Besar was the only palace in Kelantan opened for this purpose.

He said the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme at Istana Balai Besar, organised by the Office of the Sultan of Kelantan in collaboration with the state health department for Phase Two of the National Recovery Plan (NRP) would be held for five days, starting today.

“The (vaccination) programme for Phase One of the NRP was held on June 9 involving 350 officers and staff of the Kelantan palace.

“Meanwhile, for this programme, about 2,000 recipients are expected to receive the vaccine with 1,000 of them locals while the rest will be the staff and relatives of the Kelantan palace,” he said to reporters when met at the immunisation programme at Istana Balai Besar today.

Azmi said Sultan Muhammad V also commended his subjects who have registered for vaccination and urged the people inside and outside of the state to take seriously the increase of Covid-19 infections in the state and the country.

“His Highness also calls on the people to play their part in protecting themselves and their families,” he said adding that Sultan Muhammad V expressed his appreciation to all frontliners especially the staff of the health ministry who are involved in curbing Covid-19 transmissions.

“They have worked tirelessly to serve all levels of society and to ensure that the spike in cases can be reduced as soon as possible,” he said.

Meanwhile, Azmi said the Tengku Mahkota of Kelantan Tengku Muhammad Faiz Petra was deeply concerned about the problems and constraints faced by the health ministry in ensuring a smooth vaccination process.

“On June 23, the Tengku Mahkota of Kelantan donated five Covid-19 vaccine storage containers to the Kelantan state health department,” he said.

Azmi added that the palace was planning to organise several other programmes at Istana Balai Besar, including the distribution of food baskets to those affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.