Business group calls for trade boycott with Sri Lanka

The Malaysian Indian Business Association (Miba) is calling for a trade boycott with Sri Lanka as and until the Sri Lankan government mends its ways and addresses the humanitarian concerns in the war-torn state.

Speaking at a press conference in Petaling Jaya today, its president P Sivakumar said Miba is hoping that all Indian-owned businesses in the country will join hands in order to pressure the Sri Lankan government towards this end.

He also hopes that in time, all Indian-businesses worldwide will follow suit, and eventually even businesses which are non-Indian owned will make a similar stand based on humanitarian grounds.

"Put the plight of human beings above greed and business opportunities," he stressed.

"We must look at the atrocities, where is our civic duty?" he asked, adding that the business community in India should take the lead in the event of a global boycott.

"Starting today, Miba will work on getting the campaign underway, especially using the cyberspace and will work together with other groups," he said.

Sivakumar noted that business pressure is the most effective form of pressure to be applied on a government, especially since Sri Lanka needs to rebuild itself after the protracted conflict.

Chipping in, Miba secretary-general M Raken said: "If the European Union can sympathise with what is happening in Sri Lanka, then it will be a shame if we don't do anything."

"Let it go on record that Indian businessmen (in Malaysia) are aghast and have protested against (the atrocities)," he added.

Gov't should reconsider its stand

The Miba president also expressed disappointment and surprise with the Malaysian government for supporting a draft resolution tabled by Sri Lanka at the United Nations calling for member nations not to interfere in the internal affairs of the country.

"We are sad that the government has supported the resolution and we appeal to the government to reconsider its decision.

"The Indian Malaysian community is not happy with what is happening in Sri Lanka with regards to the Tamil population there," he said.

Previously, MIC president S Samy Vellu also called on the government to revoke its backing for the resolution, saying that Malaysia should not be supporting 'war criminals'.

The other countries which supported the resolution were China, India, Pakistan, Bahrain, Bolivia, Cuba, Egypt, Indonesia, Nicaragua, the Philippines and Saudi Arabia.

Diplomats said the resolution was in response to Western criticism of alleged human rights abuses committed during its final phase of war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

Colombo had declared total victory over the Tigers after cornering them in the northeast of the island and killing off their leaders and remaining fighters in a climactic battle.

The Sri Lankan army had also killed the Tigers iconic chief Vellupilai Prabakaran.

Crucial to ensure their safety

Meanwhile, Sivakumar also called on the Malaysian government to use its bilateral ties and trade relations to advise and influence the Sri Lankan government that human rights and justice are universal standards which all democratic nations must abide by.

The Sri Lanka government must allow aid groups, the media and independent monitors to the conflict zone, he said.

"The international community, including the Malaysian government should empathise with the Tamils in Sri Lanka who have been through hell.

"It is now crucial to ensure the safety and security of the civilians so that the reconciliation and resettlement process can begin," he added.

Sivakumar said since the Malaysian government intervenes in the Palestinian crisis, the Tamils here also have the right to interfere in the affairs of Sri Lanka over the plight of their brethren.

Miba also expressed support to the EU and other major powers who want the UN to take the war criminals in Sri Lanka to trial against the merciless killings of some 20,000 Tamils.