Boycott of US brands to begin tomorrow

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association will spearhead the nationwide boycott of US-made products after Friday’s prayers at the National Mosque. Secretary-general Datuk Dr Maamor Osman said the products that were targeted included cola soft drinks, gourmet coffee and cosmetics. The operators of Muslim restaurants would also stop selling cola drinks at their premises, he added. Dr Maamor said Malaysians should support the boycott, which would show that consumer power was an effective weapon against the US states and its close ally Israel. “We are also targeting these companies because they have subsidiaries here. “Consumers have other brands they can buy,” he said. Association project director Noor Norwandy Mat Noordin said a drop in sales would send a stronger, lasting message about the situation in Pales- tine. Malaysian Muslim Solidarity Movement president Datuk Zulkifli Mohamad urged members of the Organisation of the Islamic Confe- rence to take a stronger stand against Israel’s actions. The boycott move came after former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad urged the global community to not buy American-made products and the US currency to pressure the US government to stop supporting Israel’s attacks on Gaza.