This is what was reported in the Star today. Statement made by Najib serves as an answer to my questions in the previous posting i.e. “Boycott US Products?” In my “Boycott US Products?” article, I have asked the following questions to determine whether or not we, the government and the Malaysians at large are ready to punish the US and should the answers are in negative, it means that we are not ready or perhaps the people are ready but not the government: -
1. Is our government prepared to revoke the licence to sell their products?
2. Is our government prepared to severe ties with the US?
3. Is our government prepared to act without fear and favour in “punishing” the US and helping the innocent Palestinian?
Najib has answered all the questions above in negative.
In the report, Najib was also quoted as saying that “we can have demonstrations, make statements but it may not necessarily have any impact”.
So, Najib is fully aware that even the resolution passed by Parliament yesterday will not have any impact, so, I wonder whether the government is really serious in tackling this issue or is it just a formality to show that we are a “caring and concern” citizens.
I reproduce the report by The Star below: -
KUALA LUMPUR: It is up to the individual whether or not to boycott Israeli and US goods, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
“As a consumer, you have to make the decision,” he said after opening the Third Islamic Economic Congress here yesterday.
Some people, he said, would feel strongly about supporting the call to boycott Israeli and US goods because of Israel’s military action in the Gaza Strip but others would view the matter as a grey area.
“Some of the American products are in the franchise system. Some of the franchisees here are Malaysian companies and even bumiputra companies,” he said.
He said the economy existed in a “very complex and very intertwined” world.
“For a small nation, what do you do? We can have demonstrations, make statements but it may not necessarily have any impact.
“As consumers, they want to show unhappiness (over the Gaza situation). But let that be an individual choice,” he said.
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/1/13/nation/3000808&sec=nation
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2 comments:
Malaysia should know that the people will not die without US products. What are they so afraid of?! If the Ministers go to Iran, they will see that thre is no single US products in their country, and they still thrive.
That's what I hope from our government but we are still far behind from Iran in that sense. I remember many years ago, Dr. M did suggest something like using Dinar instead of USD but I do not know what happened to that great idea. Perhaps, if the Islamic countries can collectively use Islamic Finance and not depending on the strength of the USD, then I guess we can do what we want, despite the fact that we are small nation.
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