MCA should thank me for defending Chinese consumers, too, says Ismail Sabri

Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob (second from left) with his supporters after calling Malays to boycott Chinese businesses recently. Until today, the Umno minister has refused to apologise for making the statement. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, February 9, 2015.

Still refusing to retract or apologise over his call for a boycott of Chinese businesses, Umno minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said Barisan Nasional (BN) component party, MCA, should thank him for protecting Chinese consumers as he had their interests at heart.

MCA, the lead Chinese party in the ruling BN coalition, should be thankful to him for fighting profiteering, the agriculture and agro-based industries minister said.

Ismail said the Chinese, too, have expressed unhappiness that the prices of goods remained high despite a drop in fuel prices in the country.

"Many Chinese consumers are also disappointed that the prices of goods are not going down. My message is thank me for defending the Chinese, too," he told The Malaysian Insider. 

"So, why is there a need for me to apologise when I am defending those who are burdened by the high prices of goods. 

"No way nak minta maaf (I will apologise)," he added.

Ismail was responding to MCA's insistence that he apologise for his remark urging Malay consumers to boycott Chinese businesses to force a drop in the price of goods in line with lower oil prices.

Ismail had said this earlier last week in a Facebook post, which he has since removed: "The majority of consumers are Malay, Chinese are a minority, if the Malays boycott their businesses, they will have no choice but to reduce their prices."

He admitted to making the post and later said it was not directed at all Chinese but only traders who refused to reduce their prices. 

MCA leaders, who have criticised Ismail, include president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, deputy president Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong, secretary-general Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan and Youth chief Chong Sin Woon. 

Ong issued a harsh statement, demanding an apology and calling Ismail's remarks "racist", as well as charging the minister with a "lack of restraint and maturity".

Liow said he would raise the matter at the next cabinet meeting and wanted Ismail to be held responsible for his remarks.

Ismail, however, dismissed the MCA plan to revive the matter at the cabinet level, saying the subject was closed after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had issued a statement clearing him of racism.

"I don't think MCA will do so. It is settled," Ismail told The Malaysian Insider.

The Prime Minister's Department on February 5 said Ismail’s call for Malays to boycott Chinese traders was not aimed at Chinese, specifically, but at all businesses which refused to lower prices.

Najib maintained that BN would continue to support and look out for the interest of all races.

Ismail said he remained unperturbed by his critics, including the opposition, who wanted him sacked from the cabinet, as there were others who supported him.

"Some youth movements and non-governmental organisations are calling for my resignation but at the same time, I have other youth movements who supported my view.

"A group of university students are collecting one million signatures to show their support.

"I believe that everyone, no matter the race, should stand united and push these errant wholesalers and traders to bring down the prices of their goods."

Ismail, who is also an Umno Supreme Council leader, challenged the opposition pact, Pakatan Rakyat, to take to the streets and protest against profiteers.

For protesting against Ismail's boycott call, MCA was the target of some 100 supporters of the Umno politician as well as 92 Umno division chiefs, who said the Chinese party had no right to ask Ismail to resign as appointments to cabinet positions were the prime minister's prerogative.

- TMI