Cabinet minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob's call for Malays to boycott Chinese traders had little effect in his constituency in Bera, he said.

Posting cheery pictures of himself with ethnic constituents during Chinese New Year celebrations, he also claimed victory against “DAP's goading”.

“The boycott issue has not affected race relations in Bera, despite DAP's goading. The people of Bera understand my struggle,” he said in a Twitter posting yesterday.

He also posted pictures of himself handing over red packets to residents of an old folk's home in Bera which he said he visits during Chinese New Year annually.

Isu boikot peniaga tdk menjejaskan hubungan kaum di bera wpun dap cuba menghasut..org bera faham perjuangan saya. pic.twitter.com/Keh30S4Rcx

— Ismail Sabri (@IsmailSabri60) February 19, 2015

 

Menyambut tahun baru cina bersama warga emas di rumah kebajikan sang riang bera..setiap tahun saya mesti bsama mrk pic.twitter.com/eJdficW4lX

— Ismail Sabri (@IsmailSabri60) February 19, 2015

Ismail Sabri was under fire for his boycott remarks, with MCA insisting that he apologise.

The agriculture and agro-based industries minister explained that his remark in a Facebook comment was taken out of context, and that he meant to boycott “stubborn” Chinese traders who do not want to cut prices despite a drop in fuel costs.

He later said he regretted the ill-feelings that sparked following his comment but did not apologise.