The Ismail Sabri uproar: Unfit to be a Minister, says LDP
Published on: Wednesday, February 04, 2015
Kota Kinabalu: Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister, Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaakob has incurred the wrath of the Chinese business community and politicians here for calling on Malays to boycott Chinese businesses so as to lower prices.Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) deputy president Senator Datuk Chin Su Phin urged Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to seriously look into the issue of ministers who speak heedlessly and take resolute action to reshuffle the Federal Cabinet. Chin said some federal ministers are obviously not qualified to sit in the Federal Cabinet. "I think these ministers are not helping our Prime Minister at all, they are doing quite the opposite."
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He said some component parties in the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition have yet to learn their lesson from BN's severe defeat in some areas during the 13th General Election. After the last election, many BN component parties have been working hard to serve the people, particularly MCA, in order to win back support from the Chinese community. "We are disheartened when extremists within or outside Umno repeatedly stir up sensitive racial issues to incite anger among the people."Chin said Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz previously made a statement that he could not guarantee the safety of tourists who travelled to the east coast of Sabah.
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"Nazri's statement profoundly hurt the feelings of Sabahans."While the people are still recovering from Nazri's remark, Ismail called on Malays to boycott Chinese businesses who refused to reduce their prices despite the drop in the cost of fuel.
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"As a veteran federal minister, he should know the sensitivity of racial issues."The people are extremely sensitive to racial topics, why did the Minister have to deliberately provoke the people?"Chin said there were other businesses that did not lower their prices despite the reduction in fuel costs as well. Instead of calling on Malays to reject Chinese businesses, the Minister should urge the people to reject businesses who were unwilling to lower their prices despite the drop in oil prices, Chin said. He also said Ismail should be penalised as his remark has violated the Sedition Act. On another note, Chin said the Minister should not have reprimanded businesses for not lowering their prices immediately because the drop in fuel costs was temporary, unless the government reduced water and electricity tariffs to bring down the costs of businesses. At the same time, he said businesses may be enjoying higher profits now, but once fuel prices surged to RM2.60 or RM2.70 per litre, they should fully cooperate with the government by not simply raising their prices. "It will be grossly unfair to consumers if businesses simply raise their prices; consumers will suffer. "If that happens, the government should take stern action against businesses that increase their prices indiscriminately."On Ismail's claim that Perak Democratic Action Party (DAP) adviser Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham was one of the shareholders of Old Town White Coffee, Chin said the allegation has been refuted by Ngeh himself. Chin said he was equally baffled when the Minister labelled Chinese consumers as a minority.Sabah DAP deputy chief, Stephen Wong said Ismail Sabri's statement only goes to show that the Government was not serious in upholding the so-called 1Malaysia concept.The Sandakan MP in lambasting the Minister for making the call in his Facebook account described it as totally irresponsible, uncivilised and racist."If Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is serious about his 1Malaysia ideology, then he must sack him from the Cabinet! He is not fit to be a Malaysian Minister," said Wong.He said if this remark can be tolerated by Najib it showed the collapse of the 1Malaysia concept. "How come you merely put the blame on Chinese businesses? There are a lot irresponsible businesses comprising different ethnic groups and races."There are culprits everywhere behind every race and ethnic group. The intention of the minister is questionable," he said.In addition, he said Ismail as a minister should urge the relevant authorities to take action against these irresponsible businesses regardless of race. "This kind of racist statement will only invite more conflicts and extremism, but not helping to resolve the problem," he said.He hoped Najib will be held accountable and responsible for his cabinet as well as to take immediate action against the minister and release a statement to clarify the issue on behalf of the BN government.With Chinese New Year just around the corner, Wong said this kind of statement "destroys race relationships."In fact many Chinese consumers are victims as well. Therefore, it would be unfair to solely blame the Chinese business community, he said.Wong demanded that the Minister as well as the entire Barisan Nasional Cabinet issue a public apology to the Chinese community.Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCCCI) President Datuk Michael Lui said in an open market price hikes are determined by internal and external factors."It is very unwise to blame on certain races for the price hikes. The Minister should not pinpoint Chinese traders over the recent price hikes. "Besides, the Minister should not analyse the issue from the racial perspective," he said. He, too, felt Ismail was not fit to hold a Cabinet post.Lui acknowledged consumers are free to boycott any traders still reluctant to lower their prices but at the same time, consumers should practice prudence and smart spending.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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