YOURSAY | ‘Malaysia should not be held to ransom by a vaccine’

YOURSAY | ‘But is it wrong for China to ask for leniency for their fishermen?’

Report: Beijing's M’sia vaccine promise tied to request to free detained nationals

Chinese embassy says vaccine promise 'unrelated' to ships release

Fernz: China is bad news when it comes to Covid-19 as there has been suspicion that Beijing unleashed the virus on the world. So, many countries are more than a little wary of China.

We don't see any country asking Beijing for advice although China claims to be the only country to have beaten the pandemic. Now we see Beijing using a vaccine for Covid-19 to apparently arm-twist any number of countries. The countries concerned should tell China to take a hike.

The problem with Covid-19 is community spread. This can be stopped if governments prevent crowding and large gatherings.

Prevention is not only better than the cure, but it's also very much cheaper for our public healthcare system.

Iphonezours: Malaysia must never be held to ransom by a vaccine. If these Chinese fishermen have broken our laws, they need to be tried by our legal system - which China has to respect as a sovereign nation - and they must be sentenced accordingly if found guilty.

As for the vaccine, Malaysia must source vaccines from different suppliers, even if it means they are more expensive as we should never be held to ransom by any supplier or country.

Frank: As long as there is the virus and Malaysia continues to beg the world for its vaccines, there shall be more cases of fishing boats from China conducting illegal fishing expeditions, and Malaysia is placed in the position to allow the concerned parties to go scot-free.

Also, if Malaysia were to give way to that country, this shall be the precedent for cases in future involving things other than vaccines.

Fyddeep: If the vaccine works well, I would gladly release all boats and personnel. What’s the value of these fishing boats and personnel against the economy of the whole country? It’s a no brainer.

Some idiots may argue that it is not about values but principles. We must put food on the table and secure the health of the rakyat first. Then, we can live to fight another day. Period.

Sulaiman Bin Che Long: We can fine them (illegal fishermen) or jail them if the judge rules them guilty. But is it wrong for China to ask for leniency if Malaysia has proven there were incursions?

So, we can ask China for mercy in terms of help but we don't want to reciprocate. Hmm, clever foreign policy.

Solar SP: Thanks, but no thanks, China.

Malaysians would much rather use the vaccine being developed and tested by Oxford University and Mahidol University at Sriraj Hospital in Thailand which will be made available in Asean.

No one is talking up the Chinese vaccine except for some fools here.

Spinnot: The headline read "Report: Beijing's M’sia vaccine promise tied to request to free detained nationals". But the report does not say China has made its promise to supply Malaysia with Covid-19 vaccine conditional upon Malaysia freeing the detained Chinese nationals.

There is nothing inappropriate for a country to request for the release of its nationals detained in another country after due process and to protect the rights of its nationals.

As early as June, China has promised the Philippines that the country would get priority access to the vaccine. 

And in August, China promised priority access to its Covid-19 vaccine to Mekong countries.

Being a partner with a Chinese Covid-19 vaccine developer in its Phase 3 trial and local production of the vaccine, Indonesia was also promised priority access to the vaccine.

Only god knows why Malaysia has not sought cooperation with China earlier on Covid-19 vaccine.

According to a Japan Times report dated Aug 28, "successful vaccine development could give China a diplomatic advantage that would be hard for Japan to match"

Perhaps that's the reason Nikkei Asia cooked up this story to sour Malaysia-China relations.

Mohd Bakri 3: Yes, it didn't say the Chinese terms were tit-for-tat but merely this was one of the topics brought up when the minister visited. It is quite normal for every country to try to help its own citizens.

Anon Two: China can always make such a request as it is a duty of their foreign minister to help his citizens. Malaysia should say no if the fishermen have broken our rules and punish them accordingly.

Annonnymous 080: The sovereignty of the nation should be the main cause of concern rather than rushing in to seek a Covid-19 vaccine.

Such an imbalanced exchange is an assault to the soul of the nation, unless the vaccine is given free!

Biar putih tulang jangan putih mata.

PurpleCarp7173: Always remember, there's no such thing as a free lunch.

Solo: A vaccine for a few fishermen and boats? That is a cheap trade.

Better to ask for the South China Sea, aka the Nine Dash Line! Then you don’t have to worry about encroachment. 

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