KOTA KINABALU: The Rukun Tetangga (KRT) community needs to play an important role in assisting the government to expedite the COVID-19 vaccination process, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Sabah and Sarawak) Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili.

He said the KRT community can disseminate accurate information to the people on the vaccine campaign as well as provide information on the pandemic and standard operating procedures (SOPs) at the grassroots level.

"It plays an important role to help the government curb the spread of the coronavirus in their respective areas. Each KRT community can also implement appropriate programmes such as vaccination registration campaigns through social media.

"This is a new norm that we need to adapt. So, I hope all KRTs can help the government in spreading positive messages and support the Movement Control Order (MCO) and comply with all the stipulated SOP," he said in a statement here today.

Meanwhile, Ongkili, who is also a Marudu Member of Parliament (MP), announced an allocation of RM53,000 and 200 boxes of face masks for the KRT in the Kota Marudu district.

"In Kota Marudu, we have 53 KRT and, in line with new norms, they can implement relevant programmes based on the latest movement in Sabah," he said.

-- BERNAMA