MIRI: The SUPP is demanding Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to apologise for his call on Malays to boycott Chinese traders .
SUPP secretary-general Datuk Sebastian Ting, in a statement on his Facebook page, said the minister was racist in making such statement.
“The statement by Ismail Sabri is uncalled for because as a senior minister, he should understand the concept of 1Malaysia.
“An apology is the very least that he should do.”
Ting said he would agree if the minister had called all Malaysians to boycott any unscrupulous traders who refused to bring down prices, even after the drop in fuel prices.
He said SUPP demanded the apology on behalf of all honest Chinese traders and businessmen.
“Ministers must always remember that they are ministers for all Malaysians and therefore, for all races,” he said.
Ting said sensitive and racial statements could be detrimental to nation-building and the
Prime Minister’s 1Malaysia aspiration to bring all Malaysians together.
Pointing out that ministers should lead by example, he said: “They must understand that they should choose their words carefully when issuing any statement becauce once they’re out, the damage is already done.”
The party also welcomed Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar’s quick move to question Ismail Sabri over the statement.
On the steep fuel price drop, SUPP advised consumers to be knowledgeable in exercising their buying power, as well as avoiding unreasonable traders which in turn, would pressure them to reduce prices.