But the more transmissible Delta strain has forced the country to abandon the goal and instead shift towards an endemic phase of reopening the economy and living with the virus, while vaccinating as many people as possible.
It can be achieved simply because this government is more than capable and competent of doing it all.
The weekly average for deaths has also continued with the downwards trend.
Malaysia's vaccine rollout was heavily criticised in its early stages, but has been accelerated with the establishment of mass vaccination centres.
In July, the country rolled out more than 400,000 vaccinations a day, just ahead of the peak of 24,599 daily cases in August.
New Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said Malaysia intended to see the virus as endemic, aiming to create protocols to keep people safe while allowing maximum freedom.