Anti-migrant remarks by MPSP councillor irk social activist

A social activist has condemned as "anti-migrant and borderline racist" Seberang Perai municipal councillor Jason Raj's call for the authorities to act against foreign traders at local markets.

North-South Initiative executive director Adrian Pereira (above) said: "To be honest, this is one of the most anti-migrant statements I have come across in Malaysia 2.0".

"Anti-migrant arguments are so outdated and backward in this era of globalisation and mobility," he told Malaysiakini, adding that foreigners - whether migrant workers or corporate leaders - doing business in Malaysia was not wrong or illegal.

"Many Malaysian companies do joint-ventures with foreign companies and they set up businesses here in Malaysia," said Pereira.

"Most of the migrants doing business in the household sundries sector have strong and legal collaborations with local businesspersons."

According to its website, North-South Initiative is a youth-adult partnership initiative based in Malaysia to help “build synergy between the north and south in addressing human rights, social justice and development issues.

Pereira was responding to Raj (photo) who said that sundry shops run by foreigners had mushroomed lately although it was against the state's policy.

He said many of these traders ran their businesses using licences obtained by locals and as such, they were indirectly trespassing onto the economic share of Malaysians.

He also questioned how foreign traders could bring in their goods cheaply and whether this was by avoiding taxes.

Pereira defended the migrant traders saying they were part of a collaboration.

"There is no question of competition with Malaysians as the sundry shop sector is a collaboration between migrants and Malaysians," he said.

"As for importing products from abroad, there must be checks by the officials on how these products are brought in to ensure no one evades taxes," he added.

He added that there was nothing wrong in migrants doing business to cater to their fellow nationals' tastebuds and needs.

"Why it is seen in a negative light is mindboggling and borderline racist," he said, adding that migrant workers contributed immensely to the local economy and they, too, paid taxes and many other payments including for insurances, visa processing, agent fees and others.

"This also boosts the Malaysian economy. Let's not forget that the Malaysian government has removed healthcare subsidies for migrant workers and this puts them at a disadvantage financially," said Pereira.

He advised Raj to reject right-wing political rhetoric which he said would not be tolerated by society. - Mkini