Non-Malay BN component parties have recently criticised Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob for urging Malays to boycott Chinese traders who refused to lower prices of their goods.

But this is not enough for DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, who slammed those BN ministers for being cowed by Ismail’s “racist aggression”.

“They did not demand his removal as a minister.

“No MCA nor Gerakan minister dares to say that they will bring up in the next cabinet meeting that Ismail is unfit to represent all Malaysians as a minister,” said Lim, who is also Penang Chief Minister, in a statement today.

“Or do the feelings of minority ethnic groups no longer matter and they must accept to be bullied and blamed for wrongdoings done by others?” he added.

“Clearly Umno is proud to be a racist and extremist party,” he quipped.

Lim said no country in world history that was led by racist and extremists has prospered.

He added that it was clear that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak will not stand up for moderation and punish these “racists and extremists” in his cabinet.

He said he has directed all DAP leaders to file nationwide police reports against Ismail for “disrupting racial harmony and threatening” national unity with such seditious and false statements.

Lim was responding to Ismail’s controversial Facebook post on Monday, where he had said that “As long as the Malays don’t change, the Chinese will take the opportunity to oppress the Malays.”

His remark kicked up a storm, eliciting criticisms within his own party’s allies , who chastised him for his racial slant in his effort to address the issue of rising price of essential goods in the market.

Ismail Sabri’s clarification that he was only referring to certain “stubborn” Chinese traders, and not the Chinese community as a whole, did not stop criticisms to continue pouring in against him.

 (clarification)

Lim said accusing the Chinese of oppressing the Malays is an “evil lie” when the former ethnic community no longer controls most sectors, including businesses and government administration.

He pointed out that failure to reduce prices covers not just the Chinese businessmen as even government controlled companies like Felda or TNB  have not reduced prices of  sugar or electricity.

“Is Ismail deaf and blind to all these just because they are not controlled by the Chinese businessmen?

“These dangerous tactics not only cause racial disharmony and split national unity but can destroy all that was built since Merdeka in 1957,” he added.

‘Combating inflations is everyone’s responsibility’

Gerakan Wanita National chairperson Tan Lian Hoe said combating inflation is everyone’s responsibility, including the government.

She added that if consumers were unhappy with the exorbitant prices charged by traders, they should report it to the authorities instead of shunning enterprises based on race or skin colour.

“Ismail Sabri’s urging is deplorable as high prices affect everyone and business operators and traders consist of all races.

“It is time we drop the racial stereotypes and social stigma but to embrace a more balanced and fair perspective towards issues," said Tan.

“He should keep in mind that all Malaysians are struggling with the rising cost of living and trying to make ends means at the same time.”