KUALA LUMPUR, May 7 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Institute of Islamic Understanding (IKIM) will organise a round table discussion to find the best solution to the boycott issue involving several products and businesses, of late.
Its director-general, Assoc Prof Datuk Dr Mohamed Azam Mohamed Adil said the round table discussion will bring together experts in various fields and IKIM will also conduct a study related to the issue.
“IKIM feels that this boycott issue should be studied in depth,” he said in a statement here today.
On May 4, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar reportedly instructed IKIM to study all views and opinions regarding the boycott trend among Muslims in the country.
Among the products and businesses affected by the boycott were KK Super Mart (KK Mart) convenience store chain for selling socks bearing the name of Allah, and a list of products associated with supporting Israel which is oppressive to the Palestinian people.
Mohamed Azam said IKIM strongly believed that the boycott issue should be studied in detail based on the balance of justice and aspects of maslahah (useful, good) and mafsadah (damage) and whether the action is fair and true, brings good or invites more harm.
Acknowledging that the act of boycott can show the real power of consumers including in giving a strong message to the business community in Malaysia, Mohamed Azam said there are still questions that need to be seen in a wider context.
He said this includes the impact on the country's economic progress as a whole, including the potential to affect Malaysia's position as a trading country and investment destination.
In addition, he said the largest shareholders of some of the boycotted food chains are also owned by Muslims, raising concerns that an emotional boycott without careful planning will destroy the Muslim economy itself.
“This action also affects the employment sector, especially the local workforce. Workers who work with boycotted business entities will also be impacted, probably in terms of salary cuts or job loss,” he added.
-- BERNAMA
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