Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak should sack Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri for being "racist" and "stupid" in asking the Malays to boycott Chinese businesses, says a PAS lawmaker.
Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad said such attitude is unbecoming and Najib should just remove the agriculture and agro-based industry minister from government.
"There is no way that the high prices of goods can be blamed on one race... It is stupid and oversimplifying matters. It is as if the prices went up because the Chinese wants it," he he told a press conference at his office in Shah Alam today.
He said the government was the main culprit for the price hikes, and its failure could not be masked by playing the race card.
"If Najib is really against racism and less intelligent leadership, sack Ismail Sabri," he said.
Ismail drew flak following a Facebook posting urging Malays to use their buying power by boycotting Chinese traders who refuse to bring down goods prices.
"The majority of consumers are Malay, Chinese are a minority, if the Malays boycott their businesses, they will surely have no choice but to reduce their prices," he wrote on his Facebook page.
He singled out the OldTown White Coffee chain owned by OldTown Bhd, saying DAP MP Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham owned shares in the company.
"As long as the Malays don't change, the Chinese will take the opportunity to oppress the Malays," said Ismail.
Ismail's statement drew flak from DAP, MCA and Gerakan leaders, and was quizzed by the police yesterday over the Facebook post.