Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob today called for a ceasefire to end his spat with MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek over the fishermen’s strike.

“This is not an issue between Chua and me. This is an issue related to the fishermen’s strike. It has nothing to do with Chua and me,” he replied when asked about Chua’s latest attack towards him.

The duo have been at loggerheads over the issue of the government withdrawing the ‘super subsidy’ for diesel fuel for C2-class deep-sea fishing trawler operators.

Since the subsidy cuts came into force on June 1, MCA has dealt with complaints from the affected trawler operators who want the government to revert to the RM1.25 per litre price.

NONE Ismail ( right ) had lashed out at Chua for going against the government’s decision despite being part of the National Economic Council (NEC) which approved the subsidy cut.

Yesterday Chua rebutted that Ismail “may be sleeping” during the NEC meeting because he (Chua) was absent from the meeting.

However today Ismail chose not to let the spat drag on.

“If I respond to him, he will rebut again,” he told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

On the continuing strike, Ismail repeated that it is a threat to the government.

“This is not fair. They should meet the government before taking any action, not having a strike first and only then having a meeting.

“(The way they are doing this now is to) give government a few days to reply to their demand, if we don’t, then they will strike. This is called a threat,” he said.

Nevertheless he was confident that the Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Ministry will resolve the stand-off.