ARMY veterans have joined the chorus urging a stop to the “idiotic” boycott of non-Muslim products.

National Patriots Association (Patriot) president Brigadier-General (Rtd) Mohamed Arshad Raji, in a statement today, said the campaign is “nonsensical, irrational, idiotic and disruptive”, threatens to hinder economic progress, and is bound to fail.

“Patriot has said it before, and we reiterate it now. We must all think as Malaysians.”

The campaign, which started out as a move in support of Muslim goods, has morphed into one against products and services by non-Muslims.

The campaign was launched by Muslim civil society groups Gerakan Pembela Ummah and Malaysian Muslim Consumers’ Association in April, gaining traction in the following months.

Arshad hit out at Pakatan Harapan for “not doing enough” to put a stop to the campaign.

“Cabinet members seem to be waiting for the prime minister’s cue to act. It’s either they do not have a mind of their own, or are not principled enough.”

Urging unity among the people, he said: “It does not matter if a Malay, Chinese, Indian, Kadazan, Dayak or Orang Asli is rich and awarded contracts. What’s most important is that rich Malaysian tycoons and those awarded contracts use their wealth to generate economic activities, which, in turn, create jobs.

“It is the aggregate of the per capita income that matters most. Of course, the equity of wealth distribution by ethnic and geographical composition is important, too.

“This is for the ingenuity of our officials to sort out in the best manner, and to not pander to divisive and obstructive ethno-religious politicking.”

He said those orchestrating the boycott must quit harping on racial and religious issues, and instead, make economic matters the main topic in the national discourse.

He pointed to the decision by India – the biggest buyer of Malaysian palm oil – to increase from 45% to 50% the levy on imports of Malaysian refined palm oil.

“The livelihood of our smallholders, a large portion of whom are Malay-Muslims, will be affected.”

Another issue of concern is the country’s poverty rate, he said.

A United Nations expert has said the rate should be between 16% and 20% – a huge jump from the government’s officially declared 0.4%.

“If true, this will have serious implications for our socio-economic policies and their implementation,” said Arshad.

He cited unemployment, the gradual decline in salaries, high household debts and the weakening ringgit as among the issues that “all should be concerned about”. – September 8, 2019.