Cabinet rejects non-Muslim product boycott

Updated 4 years ago · Published on 4 Sep 2019 6:06PM · 5 Comments

A hypermarket in Kuala Lumpur. Cabinet members have issued a statement rejecting the recent call to boycott non-Muslim goods, calling it ‘narrow thinking’. – The Malaysian Insight pic, September 4, 2019.

THE cabinet has expressed its disappointment in calls made by several groups to boycott products and services along racial and religious lines.

A statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office today said the ministers had discussed the boycott during their weekly meeting yesterday.

In the meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Azizah, the ministers agreed that the boycott was unnecessary.

“The cabinet rejects such narrow thinking that is based on racial sentiments as being played up by certain quarters as it can affect national harmony and well-being.

“The public are instead urged to support the campaign to buy Malaysian made products as it will benefit the nation,” the statement read.

The boycott call started on social media last week as a campaign to support Muslim-made goods but morphed into a movement against non-Muslim goods.

Some Muslim civil society groups have backed the boycott, such as Gerakan Pembela Ummah (Ummah) and the Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association (PPIM), which in April launched a similar campaign of its own.

After criticism from Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, Ummah chairman Aminuddin Yahaya said the campaign was not meant to be racist as it did not call for a boycott of non-Muslim goods but only to support products made by Muslims.

PAS has fully endorsed the boycott, starting with former Selangor PAS deputy ulama chief Ahmad Dusuki Abdul Rani followed by the party secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan.

Dusuki had said boycotting non-Muslim products would earn Muslims “pahala” (merit). – September 4, 2019.

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Comments

  • Why are we bent on hurting all the Muslims in countries where they are the minority? How to spread the message of Islam with actions like these? Please rethink.

    Posted 4 years ago by Citizen Pencen · Reply

    • To each their own version of Islam...

      Posted 4 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

    • Spread the beauty of Islam not boycotts and hostility

      Posted 4 years ago by Mo Salleh · Reply

  • Those who voice their support for the boycott isn't doing it for their God. They are doing it for their own political interest.

    Posted 4 years ago by Chee yee ng · Reply

  • Everyday during breakfast, we (spouse and I) share news about events found in our locality social media. It is such a wonderful feeling that a multi racial and religious community in KL is so involved in caring and helping one another, for their well being, safety and environment. Do we need these kinds of boycotts that divides and sow the seeds of 'mistrust and even hate' in the community? With so many agencies to certify a product 'Halal', why are these politicians allowed to create doubts and mistrust. Be brave enough to take up specific cases and rectify to make the HALAL certification process even better.

    Posted 4 years ago by Citizen Pencen · Reply