Race-based boycotts only serve to hurt, says Anwar

Mohd Farhan Darwis Mohd Farhan Darwis Updated 4 years ago · Published on 3 Sep 2019 12:14PM · 4 Comments

PKR president Anwar Ibrahim says it is alright to promote halal products, but such campaigns should not be based on race or religion. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Najjua Zulkefli, September 3, 2019.

ANY race- or religion-based campaign to boycott products is detrimental to a multiracial society, said Anwar Ibrahim, following one such call against halal products sold by non-Muslims.

The PKR president said it is better to launch campaigns promoting halal goods.

“If they want to promote halal products, it is acceptable, but if it is driven by matters related to religion or race, it is not healthy.

“As Muslims, it is important for us to promote Muslim-made products to everyone. There are goods… produced by the Chinese community, and are acceptable for use by Muslims.

“But when there is a racial connotation to a campaign, it is not healthy for a multiracial society,” he said after giving a lecture at the Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation in Kuala Lumpur today.

Of late, there has been an increase in the number of Facebook pages urging support for Bumiputera-made products.

Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng yesterday said a boycott of non-Bumiputera goods is counterproductive and does not promote national unity.

On Friday, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said such boycotts only serve to incite anger.

PAS, however, has defended the “buy Muslim-made products first” campaign, saying it has a positive impact and will create wider economic spillover effects.

The Islamist party’s secretary-general, Takiyuddin Hassan, described the campaign as an “inclusive and competitive” move that should be viewed in a positive light.

“It will help small and medium entrepreneurs, as well as those from rural areas, to compete. At the same time, it will create more jobs for the people, especially unemployed youth.” – September 3, 2019.

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Comments

  • As a non-muslim, i buy many Malay/Muslim products. I have no problem supporting anybody who makes a good quality product. What sort of person/people would call for such an offensive type of boycott? What does it say about their morals and their character? Perhaps those who support something like this could explain?

    Posted 4 years ago by Sunita petrus · Reply

  • Implementing it in Kelantan ok la..not in West...Politicians are spoiling Malaysia

    Posted 4 years ago by Kalai Chelven · Reply

  • Free market reigns for centuries and brought about progress for many nations. Being free market, you can access to all that you need and your endeavours will grow up steadily.

    These stupid people want to go back to closed market. Better go back to caves!

    Posted 4 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

    • ... setting own embargo... hahaha.

      Posted 4 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply