A PAS leader has likened the stand taken by the Prime Minister’s Office on Ismail Sabri Yaakob to former Perkasa leader Zulkifli Noordin’s election stunt.

Yesterday, the PMO clarified that Ismail, who is agriculture and agro-based industry minister, had reprimanded all errant traders despite his Facebook post urging Malays to boycott Chinese businesses who do not reduce prices.

This, according to PAS central committee member Khalid Samad, reminded him of how Zulkifli, who was his former opponent, received a peck on the cheek from an Indian supporter when he was named as the BN candidate for the Shah Alam parliament seat.

"This statement (by PMO) is same like what was done by Zulkifli during the last election.

"After insulting the non-Malays, he takes a picture of himself being kissed by a non-Malay to show he is no more anti non-Malays,” he told a press conference today.

At the time, Zulkifili had come under fire over a video posting in which he had ridiculed Hindu deities.

His candidacy also drew flak from Umno's allies, especially MIC.

'Just sack him'

Meanwhile, Khalid called on Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razk to relieve Ismail of his post instead of defending him.

"If Najib wants to show he does not like the posting by Ismail, he should not have just released the statement to spin what has been said by Ismail.

"He should instead fire Ismail if he is really serious about eradicating racial issues and should be able to see how stupid of a statement it was trying to explain the price hike from a racial angle," he added.

Thus far, Ismail Sabri has gone on television and held several press conferences to claim that he never intended to single out any ethnic group.

However, BN coalition members MCA and Gerakan are calling his bluff and are still demanding his apology and retraction.