'I will not apologise' - Ismail Sabri

Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri today said he will not retract nor apologise for the statement he made about Chinese traders who are reluctant to lower prices.

He explained, there is no need to apologise to the Chinese community because it will benefit all traders, regardless of race.

"There is no need to apologise or retract as it was done of out good intention and to safeguard the interests of consumers as a whole,” Ismail told reporters at Putrajaya Lake Club on Wednesday.

He said, although many dealers consist of Chinese, but the majority of them are also consumers, just like the other races.

According to Ismail Sabri, action should also be taken on Malay and Indian traders who refuse to lower the prices of their goods.

"We have to take away the positive side, if we take the negative then we cannot solve this issue (of high goods prices),” he said.

Meanwhile, commenting on the call by MCA Youth chief Chong Sin Woon who wanted Ismail Sabri dropped from the cabinet, he said it was a wrong call.

"Nobody can ask the Prime Minister to sack someone because that is the PM's prerogative.

“Never ask or pressure the PM because we cannot pressure him… that’s his power,” explained Ismail Sabri.

In addition, he urged the police to clarify the actions that can be taken against those who have made threats against him.

"The police should take action ... I did not make an open statement but I answered through Facebook and other people made it viral,” added Ismail Sabri.

In the meantime, he also noted that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will issue a statement on the issue but declined to comment further.

In a statement on Facebook posted on Monday, Ismail Sabri said consumers should unite to put pressure on dealers to ensure that the price is lowered due to the falling oil prices.

The statement urged people to boycott wholesalers and dealers who refused to lower goods prices, which will not only benefit Malay consumers but also Chinese consumers.

He received many backlash not only from the opposition, but also from Barisan Nasional (BN) component party, MCA.