KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 2 — Malays consumers should boycott Chinese-owned businesses that have been raising their prices indiscriminately, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said today, claiming it will help in lowering the price of goods in the country.

The agriculture and agro-based industries minister was quoted as saying in a Facebook posting that Malay consumers could assist the fight against profiteering by boycotting Chinese businesses.

He singled out the Old Town White Coffee franchise as an example, accusing it of being “anti-Islamic” and having links to DAP’s Datuk Ngeh Khoo Ham.

“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.

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“As long as Malays don’t change, the Chinese will take advantage to oppress the Malays,” Ismail had said.

The post appears to have been removed from the minister’s official Facebook page.

Ismail has however used his Twitter account and shared tweets of users praising him for urging a boycott on all Chinese businesses.

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“I support @IsmailSabri60 to boycott old town white coffee with its questionable halal status and other business owners who refuse to lower down their prices,” said Umno senator and supreme council member Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki on his Twitter account, with a link to the minister’s official microblogging handle.

Another user, Rezal Rashid described Ismail’s remarks as bold and timely, given the current economic situation.

Ismail has yet to respond to Malay Mail Online's attempts to contact him over the matter.

But news portal The Malaysian Insider quoted the federal minister as saying that his remarks were aimed at Chinese businesses who were “reluctant” to lower their prices.

"I am referring to Chinese traders who are reluctant to reduce the prices of goods even though the price of petrol has come down.

"What I want to emphasise is for people not to depend solely on the government to ensure the price of goods comes down because as consumers, they can use their power to pressure businesses," he was quoted as saying.