UM staff fail in challenge to govt’s Covid-19 vaccination programme

PUTRAJAYA: The Federal Court has dismissed an application by a group of Universiti Malaya (UM) staff for leave to appeal in their bid to challenge the government’s implementation of its Covid-19 vaccination programme, carried out five years ago.

A three-member panel led by Justice Rhodzariah Bujang ruled that the legal questions raised by the applicants were not of sufficient public importance to warrant consideration by the apex court.

Sitting with Rhodzariah were Justices Ahmad Terrirudin Salleh and Azmi Ariffin.

The applicants comprised UM academic and administrative staff.

The court ordered the applicants to pay costs of RM25,000 each to the government and UM.

The group had argued that the government’s decision to administer vaccines was unlawful, irrational, and unconstitutional, having been made without their consent.

They further claimed that they were discriminated against and treated unfairly for not taking the vaccination.

In dismissing their judicial review applications, the High Court said that the measures drawn up by the government were necessary given that the spread of the Covid-19 virus worldwide had triggered a global pandemic.

The decision was upheld by the Court of Appeal, which also noted that the applicants had failed to produce medical reports showing they ought to be exempted from receiving the vaccine.

Lawyers Amin Anuar and Adrian Yeow represented the group while senior federal counsel Liew Horng Bin and Siti Norashikin Hassanor appeared for the government.

Lawyers Melanie Lim and Raja Eileen Soraya Raja Aman appeared for the UM registrar.