UMNO and PAS must be willing to gamble on the nation’s peace and harmony since both refused to condemn a campaign to buy Muslim-only products, said DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng.

DAP is disappointed with the two opposition parties’ refusal to reject and condemn the boycott started by groups which are “racist, religious extremists and pro-opposition”, he said.

“This boycott is wrong because it can harm national unity and undermine consumer interests in getting the best quality products.

“It’s a dangerous political game they are playing by using race and religious extremism. Unfortunately, it shows that opposition leaders are willing to gamble on the country’s peace and stability,” Lim said in a statement today.

He also questioned if PAS’ support for the boycott was based on an endorsement by former Selangor PAS Dewan Ulama chief, Ahmad Dusuki Abdul Rani, who was quoted in a report s saying the boycott would increase the merit (pahala) of Muslims.

“True religion teaches us not to be angry or to boycott or hate one another based on racial differences. Only the opposition does this,” said Lim, who also is the Bagan MP.

DAP supports Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s call to end the boycott as it would only stir anger, Lim said.

PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan yesterday urged Lim to view the boycott “positively” for its benefits to uplift Malay-Muslim entrepreneurs and those in rural areas.

The boycott appears to have started on social media about a week ago with a campaign urging Muslims to support and buy only Muslim-made goods. 

Groups supporting it include Gerakan Pembela Ummah and Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma), which said it’s not a boycott of non-Muslim goods but only a call to buy Muslim products.

Perlis mufti Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin, however, has said a boycott of non-Muslims goods “is not a wise call”.

“There are non-Muslims who are good people in their relationships and friendships with Muslims. Islam does not teach us to go against those who are not against us.

“Second, Muslim-made products do not cover everything one needs. It is difficult for a boycott to succeed if we still depend on some non-Muslim-made products for certain needs,” Asri said on his Facebook page.

One way to help the Muslim economy, Asri said, is share business expertise, master the supply chain from obtaining good quality and affordable raw materials, to finding retail platforms like big supermarkets.

“If Muslims do not help each other, it means we are letting Muslim traders and entrepreneurs fail,” he said. – September 3, 2019.