Guan Eng appeals for help from Umno and PAS to end boycott of Chinese businesses

(FMT) – Lim Guan Eng has called for PAS and Umno to condemn calls for a boycott of products produced by non-Bumiputeras, saying such a boycott was counter-productive and could jeopardise national unity.

Lim, who is DAP secretary-general as well as finance minister, said consumers could also lose out if products which are superior in price and quality were affected by a boycott.

“If PAS and Umno are not against non-Muslims and non-Malays, both parties should adopt a similar stand to condemn such boycotts of non-Bumi products,” he said in a statement, adding that the boycott campaign had reached “disturbing levels”.

On Friday, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had called for an end to the boycott campaign as it could only anger other quarters, besides being an ineffective measure. He criticised the “shallow-minded people” behind the campaign.

The campaign movement began on social media, with the Bumiputera community being urged to avoid buying products made by businesses owned by non-Bumiputeras.

Malaysiakini also reported that a number of NGOs also called for a boycott of halal products made by non-Muslims.

Lim said that the “racists and religious extremists” should heed Mahathir’s advice.