Ex-prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said Malaysians "will not die if they do not use the US goods" and urged those working for US companies such as fast-food giant McDonalds to quit their jobs.
"I hope Starbucks and McDonald's employees will stop working there," he told a crowd of 500 people who held a noisy protest outside the National Mosque after Friday prayers.
"If you have the US dollar, please change to other currencies, or to our ringgit. When you stop using the US dollar its value will drop," Mahathir added.
"They will become a bankrupt country and will not be able to produce weapons for Israel."
The 82-year-old firebrand was a strident critic of the West during his two decades in power, and has continued to hit out since stepping down in 2003, seizing on the issue of conflict in the Middle East during his retirement.
In 2007, he unveiled plans for an unofficial war crimes tribunal to focus on victims of abuse in Iraq, Lebanon and the Palestinian territories, saying the existing international court at the Hague was biased.
The protesters rallied to condemn Washington over its support for Israel and urge Arab countries to cut off oil supplies to the United States.
Shouting "Long live Islam, long live Palestine, destroy Israel!" they said Malaysians should boycott Coca-Cola, Colgate and Starbucks.
The boycott is spearheaded by the Malaysian Islamic Consumers Association, and the Muslim Restaurant Operators Association which has removed Coca-Cola from the menu at thousands of eateries.
Israel launched its war against Hamas on Dec 27 aiming to end rocket attacks in southern Israel and the smuggling of weapons into Gaza from Egypt.
Palestinian medics say almost 800 people have been killed since then.
Coca-Cola: 60% of employees are Muslims
Coca-Cola spoke out today against any boycott of its drinks and other US goods, saying it would only hurt the local economy and citizens.
"As everybody else, we are deeply touched by the human side of the situation in the Middle East," Kadri Taib, Coca-Cola Malaysia public affairs and communications director, said in a statement.
"Given the local nature of our business, we believe that calls for boycotts of our products are not the appropriate way to further any causes, as they primarily hurt the local economy, local businesses and local citizens."
It said the beverage company employs some 1,700 Malaysians, 60 percent of whom are Muslims.
Malaysia's economy is largely export driven and the United States is its second-largest trading partner after neighbouring Singapore - malaysiakini.com
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2 comments:
OK Mahatir s/o Iskander Kutty, they don't work for the US bastard companies. Who ganna feed them and their families? YOU!!!!
In this recessionary times go ahead and listen to a senile. Stop using computers and airplane. Show your solidarity. Sail a sampan. All Malaysian attempts are futile. Your contribution to the US economy is less than a drop in the bucket.Just think, if the US banned your products.. I dare not think. In the meanwhile focus on in innocent detainees jailed under ISA. Stop being hypocrites.
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