It is with my deepest regret and grief over the Israel and
Palestine conflict and the suffering and pain our brothers and sisters are
going through there, I’m moved to write this article. I’m a Hindu by birth but
a Malaysian by heart and a human by virtue. I can’t tolerate the unlawful
killing of any other human.
At first I was reluctant to write or comment over this whole
boycott plan as I worry it might invoke the sensitivity of my fellow Islam
friends but when I saw this statement over the internet and as personal
messages to me :-
“Jumaat ni diorg nak buat Hari Tanpa Mcd
Malaysia. Dalam masa 24jam, takde siapa makan mcd. Bgtau kawan2.. Nnti ade yg
tak tahu pulak. Satu Malaysia boycott mcd hari jumaat ni. Malayu cina india
semua agama boycott. Kemanusiaan.. Sebarkan yer..”
I understood that the idea of the boycott is means to be
“us”, Malaysians as one whole family which means I have every right to comment
on.
I’m not sure if this boycott is a genuine plan or
propaganda/manipulative moves by irresponsible parties making use of this hard
times for personal gain but I observe that the internet society has taken this
seriously! I see netizen’s making banners, poster in preparation for this
boycott.
Who are we cheating here actually? This whole boycott
propaganda, who is going to suffer as a result of it? You mean to say the
Israel? Don’t misuse the grief and anger of my fellow naive netizens over the
suffering of the people affected by the war in Palestine. When I say “hit”, I’m
referring to the ‘impact’ of the boycott.
This boycott would
leave a greater impact to the Malaysian working with the corporations you
intend to bring down compared to the impact it would leave on the war. Easy way
for all this corporations to stop making loss without impact to their shares in
the stock market is to reduce workers salary, allowance or in worse case
termination of employment.
In my view this an unnecessary move which is utter waste of
time and resources. Like me, I’m sure many out there are disgruntled of the
happening in Gaza but this boycott is not a solution. The “hit”-impact of the
boycott is on us, fellow Malaysians working with corporations alleged to be
part of funding to the war. There and many other ways to help the GAZA. Please
go make donations from genuine sources provided on the capacity that you can
afford. Ask me to march or give a memorandum to the relevant department or
embassy; I’ll definitely do.
I’ve seen boycott and protest over this war conflict in
Malaysia, it’s a joke for them! Most of the participants don’t even know much
of the reasons of their boycott act. They join this protest for cheap fame,
taking “selfies”, posting photos on social networks and making unnecessary
troubles and remarks which are much uncalled for.
Having said all that, I urge fellow Malaysia to show your
support to end the war in Gaza by proper means and not participating in illegal
assemblies and uncalled-for boycotts which has no proper evidence to prove
their alleged funding for the war.
