The Borneo Post -
January 23, 2015
KUALA LUMPUR: The promotion of ‘Buy Malaysia’ products, as announced
by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, should not be a seasonal
encouragement, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr
Wee Ka Siong yesterday.
In making the call, he said the programme should be a year-long activity, not just during weaker economic condition.
“They (Chambers of Commerce) want to see what are the announcements made by the Prime Minister as something that could be implemented immediately,” he said.
He was speaking to reporters after the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia Roundtable Session to promote and empower Malaysian Entrepreneurs yesterday.
Wee said Malaysians should change their perception on local products to assist in the development of the industry as well as the nation’s economy.
Najib, who is also Finance Minister, announced that the government would intensify the promotion of Buy Malaysia products and increase the frequency and extend the shopping hours of the nationwide mega sales to enhance public consumption.
He said this while presenting a number of proactive measures to strengthen Malaysia’s economic resilience on Tuesday.
The Associated Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia Secretary-General Datuk Low Kian Chuan said imports of products such as furniture should be reduced to help boost demand for local products.
“Malaysia is the second largest exporter of furniture, thus the local consumers should buy local products. At least 30 per cent of Malaysian expenditure must be local,” he said.
Meanwhile, the local chambers of commerce urged the government to scrap the service to renew foreign workers’ work permit with MyEG Services Bhd, due to the monopolistic nature of the business.
“We are happier to pay to the government because it is better to pay to the government than pay the private sector,” said Malaysian Associated Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry President Tan Sri KK Eswaran.
The business community is unhappy with the sudden introduction of the mandatory use of MyEG for renewal of foreign workers’ work permit, which was announced on Jan 2 and came into effect on Jan 5.
The chambers of commerce had also submitted a joint memorandum to the government to voice their concerns over credit reference company, CTOS Data Systems Sdn Bhd.
“It is time for this organisation called CTOS to be closed. Only the government has the right to hold personal information of a person, not a private company. The Central Credit Reference Information System is fine,” said Eswaran. — Bernama
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