ACCCIM: Boycotting Chinese companies is extreme

Written by fz.com(content contributor to theedgemalaysia.com)
Monday, 20 May 2013 13:43
A + / A - / Reset

ASKING consumers to boycott Chinese companies which supported the
blackout rallies is too extreme, said Associated Chinese Chambers of
Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM) president Datuk Lim
Kok Cheong.
Oriental Daily News quoted Lim as saying, he believed Malaysians
would treat the call, made by Muslim Consumers Association Malaysia
(PPIM) rationally, adding that he believed the action would not cause
serious impact to local companies.
ACCCIM has yet to receive any complaint from any company but Lim is
of the view that it is just an extreme idea from a small group of people.
When contacted by the paper, he said, “it is an extreme act. It shouldn’t
happen in a multi-racial country like Malaysia so various government
agencies should stop it immediately and ensure the unity of all races
and racial harmony.”
Lim emphasised that all citizens of different groups and political stands
must give impetus to the economic development of the country and the
most important elements in realising the objective are national unity and
harmony.
Some 83 Malay and Muslim non-government associations, including
PPIM, had recently called for consumers to boycott Chinese companies
which support DAP.
The campaign was launched last Tuesday "to teach the Chinese community about knowing how to be grateful to Barisan
Nasional and respect the social contract that rejects racism."
PPIM's website lists, among others, the following companies and products: Massimo, Old Town White Coffee, Pappa Rich
and FFM flour.
Newly appointed Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Hasan Malek said, two days ago, that
Putrajaya did not approve of the boycott but could not prevent those who wished to do so.
Not entirely possible for an MCA EGM
Meanwhile, Oriental Daily News also reported of a slim possibility for MCA to hold an extraordinary meeting to overturn the
decision of not joining the Cabinet.
It added that it was more possible for the Chinese based party to re-discuss the issue after the party election.
The daily quoted a source as saying, MCA will have a new leadership after the election as party president Datuk Seri Dr
Chua Soi Lek announced his intention of relinquishing the top post in coming party election.
There, the source said, there was no urgency for MCA to re-join the cabinet and risk becoming a laughing stock.
As the strategy of not accepting any government post came from Chua’s leadership, it would be self-contradictory for Chua to
call for an EGM.
Besides that, it would take time to collect signatures of at least one third of MCA's central delegates to overturn the resolution
while the party election is just around the corner.
At its annual general assembly, MCA had passed the resolution of not taking any government post should it perform worser
than the 2008 general election.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak upheld the party's resolution but in announcing his lineup, said the Transport Minister
position was reserved for the party should it change its stand.
MCA to discuss Tee’s issue tomorrow
Meanwhile Chua said, the MCA central committee meeting will discuss the issue of Pulai Sebatang assemblyman Datuk Tee
Siew Kiong's acceptance to be Johor state executive councillor, the China Press reported.
The daily quoted Chua as saying MCA disciplinary committee will hold an inquiry later and Tee would be obliged to attend it.
Chua chaired the MCA Johor state liaison committee meeting in Yong Peng, Johor yesterday. He reiterated in a press
conference later, that MCA did not recommend Tee for the post and that the appointment is a decree of the Sultan of the
state.
Chua also called for all divisions to resume their services to the public immediately and enhance MCA’s publicity