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Don’t link Haziq’s death to vaccination, says minister

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Reezal Merican Naina Merican tells people to wait until post-mortem results are released.

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Free Malaysia Today
Haziq Kamaruddin was among 243 athletes who were given the vaccine along with youth and sports minister Reezal Merican Naina Merican.

PETALING JAYA:
The people have been asked not to speculate about the cause of national archer and two-time Olympian Haziq Kamaruddin’s death.

The 27-year-old Haziq collapsed and died after subuh prayers today but the youth and sports ministry has asked everyone to wait for the post-mortem results before talking about the cause of death.

Social media has been abuzz with many linking his death to the Covid-19 vaccination, especially since all Olympic bound-athletes completed their vaccinations recently. Haziq was preparing for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics qualifiers from June 19-21 in Paris.

Youth and sports minister Reezal Merican Naina Merican said those who make such speculations are being irresponsible.

“I know some people have linked Haziq’s death to the Covid-19 vaccination. This is an irresponsible act. I urge everyone not to spread news that is not true,” he said.

Reezal added that together with Haziq, he and another 242 athletes had taken the same vaccine.

“We should allow the hospital to carry out the post mortem,” he said.

It was earlier reported that Haziq had died after subuh prayers on the second day of Hari Raya.

A family member, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “After the prayers, he had gone to the toilet and collapsed as soon as he came out and lost consciousness,” she said.

Haziq’s body has been taken to the Kajang Hospital for post-mortem.

Reezal asked the public to respect the wishes of the family. “If there are any updates, the ministry and I will inform the public,” he added.

The archer from Johor has competed in two Olympic Games before this, the London Games in 2012 and the Rio Games in 2016.

Meanwhile, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah have expressed their condolences to Haziq’s family.

According to a statement uploaded on Istana Negara’s Facebook page, the King and Queen were saddened by the Olympian’s death and hoped that his family would be patient and strong in facing this difficult moment in the month of Syawal.

“Their Majesties also pray for his soul to be blessed by Allah and placed among the righteous,” the statement read.

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