PAS and Umno must oppose and condemn calls to boycott non-Bumiputera products if they are truly not against non-Muslims and non-Malays, said DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng.

Lim said in a statement today that such a boycott would be counter-productive and would destroy national unity, aside from stifling competition which would result in fewer choices and higher prices for the consumer.

By extension, the boycott should bar foreign-made products, such as handphones, he said.

“If PAS and Umno are not against both non-Muslims and non-Malays, both parties should adopt a similar stand condemning such boycotts of non-Bumi products,” said the finance minister, as he urged the two Malay-based parties to lead in following the example set by the Pakatan Harapan government.

He also urged all “racists and religious extremists” to heed Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s advice to cease the boycott movement.

He said the PM was correct in denouncing the movement as one that could only be set up by  shallow-minded people and which would cause anger.

“This boycott of non-Bumi products has reached disturbing levels until the prime minister is compelled to comment on it.”

Lim also urged Malaysians to heed retired national shuttler Lee Chong Wei’s call for public unity against racists “shooting vulgarities” at one another over petty issues.

On Friday Dr Mahathir said the boycott would serve to anger people.

“The people who are organising a boycott of non-Malay products services are shallow. But it doesn’t work.

“A boycott is a weapon that is ineffective. It only angers people. Don’t boycott anyone’s products, Malay or non-Malay,” the prime minister had said.

A civil society group has joined the social media campaign calling for non-Muslims to stop using the halal logo on their products.

The campaign is in retaliation to Chinese and Indian opposition to a government police to teach Jawi in the vernacular schools. – September 1, 2019.