Armada calls to boycott EU products over palm oil ban

Sheridan Mahavera Sheridan Mahavera Updated 7 years ago · Published on 29 Dec 2018 11:21AM · 2 Comments

Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman says that the European Union's move to ban palm oil imports should be matched with a Malaysian boycott of EU products. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, December 29, 2018.

MINISTER Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman has threatened to start a campaign to boycott products from the European Union in response to the regional group’s decision to ban palm oil imports.

“If the EU can boycott Felda, we can do the same! Armada (Bersatu’s youth wing) will get support from MPs and the cabinet to fight the EU. The #BangunFelda movement has to be started,” Syed Saddiq said in his policy speech as Bersatu Youth chief.

“I urge the government, start a serious and courageous movement. Fight the EU. If they boycott Felda products, we should fight.”

Syed Saddiq pointed to the example of Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who in his first term as prime minister started a “buy British last” campaign in 1981.

This was to protest Guthrie’s shares in local rubber companies and the increase of tuition fees for Malaysian students studying in Britain.

The EU’s decision to ban palm oil in its biofuels by 2030 will affect palm oil producing countries such as Indonesia and Malaysia, as the regional economic bloc is the second largest market for the edible oil.

The Malaysian government, palm oil industry players and smallholders, who produce 40% of all palm oil in the country, have been campaigning hard for the EU to reverse its decision.

In his speech, Syed Saddiq exhorted EU observers present in the hall to visit palm oil estates in the country for an idea of how the ban will affect ordinary planters.

“Please go down and visit these people. They are the poorest of the poor in the country. They are not the rich or the aristocrats. See for yourself who these planters are.

“To my friends in the EU, you are hurting the poorest of the poor. I will never allow that. We will fight back to protect our Felda people.” – December 29, 2018.

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Comments

  • Before you start such a move (e.g. boycotting EU products), in your speech provide la the total column of imports, the value, the types of goods to boycott, the Impact it cannot cannot make to the country, and so forth. Do some research and provide statistics..
    Whats the bloody use if the imports are insignificant or if the products are considered essential for Malaysia? Wont this greater inconvenience to the Malaysian publics?
    All of such decisions should be based on economic & financial implications & fundamentals..
    Syed, your approach to this boycott appears to be quite superficial.. Tit for tat! They boycott her so we boycott them..
    Please remember we are not, I mean not an economic powerhouse to make decisions that can negatively impact us! And by making rash decisions you will drive this already fragile nation into the ground. Please be more mature in your statements! Seek the advise of the Economic Affairs & Finance Ministers before you make such claims.. Not impressive. Please grow up, Syed Saddiq!

    Posted 7 years ago by TTs Take · Reply

  • Dont make big statements just to get noticed. Its like trying to fill into an adults shoes!!

    Posted 7 years ago by TTs Take · Reply