THE Associations of Islam Defenders (Pembela) will launch the second phase of its Buy Muslim First (BMF) campaign in December, its president Aminuddin Yahya said.

The first campaign, which was launched in 2019, was hindered by the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic the following year.

“We didn’t fail; it was the movement control order that stalled us,” Aminuddin said today at Pembela’s Malay Civilisation Day in Kuala Lumpur, an event held to “counter” Muslim participation in the Bon Odori festival in Shah Alam on July 16.

The BMF in December will see Muslim non-governmental organisations organise fairs and expos to showcase products made by Malay and Muslim producers.

Aminuddin said the campaign would also help boost the incomes of these producers.

Earlier, the BMF campaign stirred controversy as non-Muslim manufacturers and producers deemed it racist, while Muslim groups said it was aimed at helping the Malay community.

The Malay Civilisation Day event held today at the Kuala Lumpur Football Association field saw Malays attending – including families and children – dressed in traditional attire such as the ‘tanjak’ headgear and samping cloth, to watch silat and dance performances, as well as play games such as congkak and engage in sporting activities such as archery. – July 30, 2022.