Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein dodged questions on whether all BN component parties had accepted the cabinet's position on minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob's controversial 'boycott Chinese businesses' remark.

"We discussed it in cabinet - MCA, MIC, Gerakan are also members of the cabinet," Hishammuddin told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

When pressed further if that meant the BN component parties have accepted the cabinet's decision on the agriculture and agro-based industries minister's controversial Facebook posting, he stressed, "They were in the cabinet and discussed it."

Hishammuddin, who is Umno vice-president also urged everyone to "move ahead" as the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has already issued a clarification on the matter.

However, when quizzed further how PMO deemed Ismail's statement to have been not directed at any particular ethnic group, Hishammuddin did not provide an answer.

Instead, he shot back and demanded to know which media the journalist was from.

When the journalist said he was from Malaysiakini, the minister and his officers sniggered.

"As far as Malaysiakini is concerned, you have made up your mind no matter what I say. But it doesn't matter, I will still answer.

"In reporting, you need to be responsible. What has been said, been done, and if it's been clarified, discussed, is been seen in the right context. I think we should move on.

"The fact that I asked you where you are from, and the response we got, and knew you are from Malaysiakini sums up the situation," he concluded.

'Chinese boycott not racial'

Ismail stirred a hornet's nest this week when on Facebook he called for a boycott of Chinese businesses over an alleged refusal to lower prices.

"The majority of consumers are Malays. The Chinese are the minority. If the Malays boycott their businesses, they will have no choice but to reduce prices," Ismail had written, drawing a storm of protests from various parties.  

After Ismail explained himself to cabinet, the PMO issued a statement that the minister's comments were aimed at all errant traders, and not targeted solely at the Chinese.

However, over 160 MCA Youth divisions still demanded an apology from Ismail.

MCA Youth Chief Chong Sin Woon even called for Ismail's resignation, while MCA president Liow Tiong Lai urged Ismail to be "responsible for his statement".

Gerakan vice-president Dominic Lau also expressed disappointment over the cabinet's failure to take action against Ismail.


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