Sarawak is Malaysia's first state to establish an industrial Covid-19 vaccination center for the tourism and business events sectors.

Over 2,000 industry workers voluntarily registered for the industrial vaccination programme, which was held at the Association of Churches Sarawak's ecumenical centre in Kuching from June 24 to 27.

Sarawak's Tourism, Arts, and Culture Ministry led the programme, which was co-ordinated by the federal Tourism, Arts, and Culture Ministry, the Sarawak Tourism Federation, the Health Ministry, and Timberland Medical Centre.

On the first day of the four-day programme, 321 people were vaccinated.

Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, Federal Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, congratulated Sarawak on being the first state to establish a vaccination centre for business events and tourism industry partners.

She also thanked the state ministry for successfully coordinating the programme.

Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture in Sarawak, stated that the state government recognised business events and tourism as two of the state's core economic sectors.

“The vaccination programme is an imperative step to protect more than 2,000 industry frontliners and a reassuring sign that Sarawak will be ready to reopen for business activities.

“Vaccinating the industry is in tandem with the Sarawak government’s target to vaccinate at least 80% of the local population by the end of August,” he said.

Sarawak currently has the highest number of vaccinations in the country, with over one million people vaccinated so far.

Sarawak Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry permanent secretary Hii Chang Kee said the ministry was committed to supporting agencies such as Business Events Sarawak on the reopening of the business events industry.