S’gor MB: Be careful about the boycott of US goods

By SIM LEOI LEOI
BANGI: Malaysians must not simply boycott all products from United States or Israel as these may be partly owned by Muslims or locals.
Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said Malaysians should instead study carefully the list of products they intended to boycott in the wake of Israel’s attack on Palestinians in Gaza.
“The products may be owned not just by the Israelis or the Americans.
“Brands like McDonald’s and Coca Cola are not totally owned by Israeli or American groups, but their shares are owned even by Muslim countries, including bumiputras in Malaysia.
“It’s better to focus on a few products like weaponry.
“There should be a ban on Muslims buying weaponry directly from these countries or even through a third party,” he told reporters after attending the 100th year memorial of Indonesian politician Mohammad Natsir at the Kolej Universiti Islam Selangor on Saturday.
Also at the memorial were PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Khalid, who is PKR secretary-general, was responding to calls from several Muslim groups and leaders, including former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, for consumers to boycott products from both US and Israel to object against the attack on Gaza.
Khalid said a better move would be to refrain from investing in or using banks affiliated to Israeli or American interests.
“This will have more impact because it won’t allow the banks to expand their businesses,” he pointed out.
Khalid said all Pakatan Rakyat Members of Parliament would also be attending a special session on Monday called by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to discuss the Gaza issue.
“We will all be attending the session despite there being a by-election in Kuala Terengganu. This issue is bigger than Kuala Terengganu as it touches on a humanitarian crisis.
“Besides, I think that all Barisan Nasional MPs will also be temporarily halting their campaign to attend this session,” he said, adding that Pakatan Rakyat was throwing their support behind the Government on the Gaza issue.
“We are ready to call for a halt to the attacks and we will discuss this from the aspect of crimes against humanity,” he said.