The Malaysian Insight

THERE is no boycott of non-Muslim products although shoppers who turn up at these outlets talk excitedly about the campaign, said grocery shop and mini-market operators.

These operators told The Malaysian Insight their sales are not affected by the boycott campaign called by some Malay-Muslim groups.

Jaithoon mini-market manager Hafiz Noorutheen said sales of all items, including non-Muslim products, are “like normal”, adding that his shop stocks items for both Muslims and non-Muslims.

For example, the 19-year-old said Jaithoon sells two brands of each popular product.

For example, Hafiz stocks one brand of instant noodles popular with Muslims and the other popular with non-Muslims.

“There is no boycott, but my customers do talk about it.

“People are buying as usual,” said the entrepreneur who operates his mini-market in Kuala Lumpur.

Hafiz believed the boycott campaign was not well thought out as “many non-Muslim brands are better.”

“The boycott should not have been called. There are non-Muslim products that have no ‘Muslim’ substitutes and some of them we use daily.”

Last week, many Malays supported the call to boycott non-Muslim products on social media.

Among them was the Malaysian Muslim Economic Association which has more than a million supporters.

Another was “Boycott the DAP Chinese”, which reportedly has more than 10,000 members.

Two owners of grocery stores in Kg Pandan, Kuala Lumpur, said they can’t understand the boycott as their customers are buying goods without giving much thought if they are non-Muslim products or not.

“We sell all products. People come as usual. Sales are also normal,” Samy, 49, told The Malaysian Insight.

“For me, the quality of the product is important. If they are of good quality, then it will not be a problem to me.”

Another grocery store owner, identified only as Pon, suggested that if groups wanted to start a campaign, then it should be “buy local products”.

He also asked why everything has to be race- or religious-based.

A popular bread shop in Mont Kiara owned by a non-Muslim continued to report good business from its multiracial clientele.

“Most of our customers are Muslims. Our products are certified halal,” said the supervisor who identified himself as Ovi.

Chicken seller Mohamad Jeffry Razelan said consumers buy according to their need and most Muslim consumers are looking to see if a product is certified halal.

If it’s halal, most consumers would buy a product without questioning who the manufacturer is, he said.

Store employee Effendy Yusof said those promoting the campaign should think about the impact it would have on Muslims. 

“The boycott of non-Malay products is actually not good either as it will inevitably affect Muslims working at such businesses.

“If we boycott them, our workers will be affected,” said Effendy, noting that any downturn in business will result in lay-offs and Muslim workers are bound to be affected.

Gerakan Pembela Ummah (Ummah) which had launched a campaign to encourage Muslims to buy products by those of the faith said it’s not linked to race and religion.

“Ummah is disappointed and amused by the statements made by a few political leaders who linked the campaign to racial and religious issues.

“In fact, there are some linking it to political parties. Ummah would like to affirm that the campaign is not meant to boycott products made by manufacturers of other races,” said its chairman, Aminuddin Yahaya.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said such campaigns against non-Muslims and non-Bumiputera products would only serve to incite anger. 

Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng had, on the other hand, asked Malay-Muslim parties PAS and Umno to act responsibly and end such a campaign. 

PKR president Anwar Ibrahim said Muslims should promote halal products and not launch campaigns to boycott any product on racial grounds. 

PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said the Islamist party endorsed the campaign which is an “inclusive and competitive” move that should be viewed in a positive light.

It would help small and medium entrepreneurs, those from rural areas and the unemployed youth, he said. – September 5, 2019.