MCA slams minister's call for Malays to boycott Chinese businesses

MCA deputy president Dr Wee Ka Siong.

PETALING JAYA: MCA deputy president Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong has slammed an alleged call by a minister for Malay consumers to boycott Chinese businesses that have refused to reduce their prices despite the drop in the cost of fuel.

He said that such a statement was uncalled for, as it could hurt people's feelings and create unwanted problems.

"As a minister in the Cabinet, he should not make such ethnic generalisations. It is not as if only Chinese are businessmen," he told reporters after visiting poor families at Kampung Jalan Lama in Yong Peng on Monday.

Dr Wee added that those who infringed the Anti Profiteering Act 2011 would face the music and race was not a factor.

In a Facebook post on Sunday, Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob allegedly called on Malay consumers to boycott Chinese businesses which deliberately kept their prices high.

The posting went viral on social media and has since been deleted.

MCA Youth Chief Chong Sin Woon was also critical of the boycott call, saying it was "seditious" and "unforgivable".

"Unscrupulous traders can be from any race. It is seditious to label all Chinese businessmen as evil and Malays as innocent victims. This is an attempt to divide us," said Chong in a statement.

Chong added that all Malaysians, irrespective of race, had to deal with the rising cost of living.

"Inflation has nothing to do with race. Such words, coming from a minister, is unforgivable," he said, describing Ismail's act as "unconstitutional".

Chong said the statement did not represent the Cabinet's or Barisan Nasional's stand, and even went as far as to say Ismail Sabri was no longer fit to be a minister.

Chong also said all politicians had a responsibility to ensure their words do not hurt the feelings of other races.

"The harmony amongst races is the pride of Malaysia and it should be safeguarded," he said.

In the Facebook post on Sunday, where the alleged boycott call was made, Ismail Sabri said while authorities enforced current price-control laws (the Price Control Act and the Anti-Profiteering Act), consumers wielded the greatest power against unscrupulous traders.

"The majority of consumers are Malay, Chinese are a minority. If the Malays boycott their businesses, they will surely have no choice but to reduce the prices of their goods," he wrote.

He also questioned the halal status of certain Chinese-owned eateries, singling out the Old Town White Coffee chain of restaurants.

"Just look at Old Town White Coffee, (its halal status) was in doubt recently. Yet, Malays failed to boycott it, especially since Perak DAP's Ngeh family are the alleged owners, and are known to be anti-Islam," he allegedly said in reference to Perak DAP chairman Ngeh Khoo Ham.

Ismail Sabri added that the Malays would continue to be taken advantage of by the Chinese if they did not change their ways.

Ismail Sabri confirmed the original statement was his in a response to a query from Facebook user Putera Zul.

"Yes, I am responsible for my statement," he said.

Checks by The Star Online showed that the Minister's original post was no longer visible on his timeline on Monday.

Ismail Sabri posted a response on Monday, saying his statement was not directed to all of Chinese descent, but to Chinese entrepreneurs who refused to reduce their prices despite the drop in fuel prices.

"When there was a hike in fuel prices, they used it as an excuse to increase the price of goods.

"In my opinion, the consumers should not be entirely dependent on the Government to protect them from price hikes. They should step up and use their position as consumers to bring down prices," said Ismail Sabri, adding that a boycott would be the way to exercise that power.

Ismail Sabri also responded to Chong, saying MCA should be thanking him and not condemning his actions.

"I urged the majority to pressure Chinese traders to reduce prices, because high prices would also affect Chinese consumers.

"So if all of us, Malays and Chinese included, work towards pressuring the businessmen, prices will go down and will benefit the community as a whole.

Ismail Sabri said that Chong should be urging the people to pressure traders instead and be aware of their priorities.

He added that Chong, who is also a senator, should have contacted him for clarification instead.