By Ang Lai Soon

Do we have to be at the end of the global queue for the vaccine to fight the deadly pathogen?

The national reserves can most probably help.

This is the most critical time, the most critical moment in human history. All will either survive and lead a normal life if they have the vaccine, or be in a permanent state of misery and may possibly even die if they don't.

This is the time when the national reserves of any country can help.

The last resort. The lifeline. This is a non-political matter that must be decided by the highest legislative body of any country immediately. Every second counts, and do not procrastinate and end up being at the end of the global queue for the lifeline!

Wealthy nations in the north have already made the necessary arrangements with various major drug manufacturers to secure enough vaccines to protect their people. Together these nations, namely USA, United Kingdom, the European Union and Japan have locked up over a billion doses of coronavirus vaccines. This tumultuous, turbulent and uncertain world has a total population of roughly 7.8 billion.

I strongly appeal to all lawmakers to consider this proposal to save the lives of their citizens, and eventually the economy of their countries.

All other nations that have substantial national reserves must seriously put aside all differences and consider making this unprecedented landmark decision to save their people and their economies.

This is the decision, the hour that will define forever your future life and lifestyle, so that you can eventually enjoy your constitutional and human rights of freedom of movement and actions.

No distancing, no masks, no restrictions of movements, no curfews and the freedom to travel.

(Datuk Seri Ang Lai Soon is Sarawak social activist, philanthropist, founder of St John's Ambulance Sarawak.)