In a statement issued after the cabinet meeting today, the PMO said the agriculture and agro-based industry minister’s reprimand was aimed at all traders.
In his Facebook post on Monday, Ismail Sabri had specifically urged the Malays to boycott Chinese traders who were not reducing the prices of goods.
After making the incendiary statement on Monday, he later clarified that he only meant “stubborn” Chinese traders.
Meanwhile, the PMO reiterated Ismail Sabri’s (right) clarification.“We were informed that his statement was aimed to reprimand traders who refuse to reduce the price of goods even when the price of fuel has reduced.
“The reprimand was aimed at all traders and not at traders of any particular race. He also suggested that consumers use their buying power to force traders to reduce the price of goods,” read the statement.
The PMO added that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak had stressed that the BN government will “continue to defend and safeguard the interests of all races”.
“Therefore, any disputes which could lead to racial polarisation should not be prolonged as it will bring adverse effects to everyone.
“The cabinet wants all traders to be responsible and considerate in determining the prices of goods in line with the reduction of oil prices so that consumers will experience the effects of such reduction.
“Consumers must be smart by using their buying power to encourage traders to set affordable price of goods.”
Ismail Sabri had garnered the support of various Umno leaders and he had even received a hero’s welcome by his supporters at the Putra World Trade Centre yesterday.
The minister had since said that he will not retract, neither will he apologise over his statement.
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