KUALA LUMPUR: PKR president Anwar Ibrahim today warned against boycotting products based on race and religion, saying such activities are not healthy, especially in a multiracial and multicultural society.
Speaking on the sidelines of an event here, he said it was permissible to base decisions on whether a product is halal or not.
“But promoting this sort of boycott of non-Muslim products is contemptuous and unhealthy,” he said.
“As a Muslim, I think it is important for us to produce good products which are accepted by all. But there are products that Muslims require that happen to be produced by the Chinese.
“So the racial connotation, to me, is not healthy in a multiracial and multicultural society in a pluralistic world.”
Several government leaders, including Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, have already spoken out against the movement to boycott products made by non-Muslims which has been gaining momentum on social media.
However, Islamist party PAS has defended the campaign, saying it is in support of products made by Muslims, aimed at strengthening the economic power of Muslims and giving them a competitive edge.
It also said the campaign would have a spillover effect on larger sections of the community, benefitting both Muslim and non-Muslim businesses.
On whether disciplinary action would be taken against PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali for his no-show at presidential council meetings, Anwar said he was unsure if Azmin had boycotted the sessions.
“But he never attended,” he added. “I have advised him to attend the meetings.”
On reports that PKR vice-president Zuraida Kamaruddin has been seeking reconciliation meetings between factions in the party, Anwar said she should attend the presidential council meetings as well so that the issue could be further discussed. - FMT
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