"Let's support the new Massimo bread by Robert Kuok and boycott Gardenia bread owned by UMNO crony, Syed Mokhtar's Tradewind group. Massimo bread has finally arrived in Penang. During promotion the wheat gem bread is sold at only RM2.50 as oppose to RM3.20, go check it out.
http://theitalianbaker.com.my/bread.html"
No, I don't think we should boycott any product or service based solely on the above crony reason. I would buy Massimo bread if it is conveniently available, fresh, tasty and comparatively cheaper than Gardenia. If for the same type of bread, the price difference is as stated, then there is no need to call for a boycott as the market will adjust itself. Sometimes, when in need, we might not even have a choice, like what we used to watch on television in places of famine. Similarly, I would avoid buying breads from The Loaf, not because I dislike Tun, but because from what I hear, they are much more expensive. Anyway, it would be silly to think Tun needs returns from the venture. This reminds me of Tun Daim's cocky statement about his gains from the stock market as for weekend spending or something to that effect.
From Sassy MP: 'Stop attacking Gardenia from racist angle' shows Gardenia felt the effects of the boycott...
http://teresakok.com/2011/12/09/stop-attacking-gardenia-from-racist-angle/
Link
We are consumers and have our rights to choose the products and services regardless of whatever reasons.The price and quality definitely were our main consideration while making a decision. :)
ReplyDeleteFree will to choose. If govt keeps promoting racist ideas we should boycott their cronies - after all they're bloody rich as it is.
ReplyDeleteIt is sad to see how easy Malaysians believe and get fired-up by racial sentiments. In this case, it is rather clear business rivalry where a new player most likey beeded to gain market share quickly. We probably should seat back and check the facts before forwarding and sharing any information.
ReplyDeleteSad...we think we are an educated soceity when infact we are just a bunch of emotional group that have been taken an advantage of by an unscrupulous company.
I believe the boycott initiative did not come from the company, but someone overzealous who thought he was doing others a favour by doing so. I have heard from an industry source that Massimo has yet to clear some glitches in their manufacturing process because of large quantities of unsold breads due to overproduction or poor sales. It makes sense for Robert Kuok's companies to make bread because they produce flour as well.
ReplyDeletePerkasa started this way back - politicizing food biz...?
ReplyDelete=====
Perkasa wants KFC chain to stay in Malay hands
March 17, 2011
KUALA LUMPUR, March 17 — Malay rights group Perkasa has urged the Najib administration to ensure that Kulim (M) Bhd, which controls the local franchise for the popular Kentucky Fried Chicken fast food outlets, remains in the hands of Malays.
At the same time, its president Datuk Ibrahim Ali also wants assurance that both Kulim and franchise holder, KFC Holdings Bhd, will not be sold off to a Malay-Bumiputera individual.
There was an earlier attempt at buying the majority stake in KFC Holdings recently but it came to naught.
“We heard stories that Kulim will supposedly be sold off to a non-Malay company, while some have also said that it will be bought over by a Malay-Bumiputera individual.
“However, the information is still unconfirmed... but whatever it is, we want it to stay in the hands of a Malay-Bumiputera company, even if it is sold to a Malay-Bumiputera individual we disapprove,” he told The Malaysian Insider.
The independent Pasir Mas MP added there was also talk that Kulim would be bought over by a politician from a non-Malay Barisan Nasional component party and a public-listed company.
“But this has not been endorsed, I have checked,” he said.
When asked if he planned to convey his views to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak or Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ghani Othman on the matter, Ibrahim said, “No”.
“Even if we wanted to meet them, it will likely be difficult because everyone’s too busy. Perkasa and other Bumiputera-based non-governmental organisations will wait for a confirmation first.
“Once we get answers in black and white, only then will we decide what to do next,” he said.
Ibrahim was commenting on a statement by Johor Corp (JCorp) former president and chief executive Tan Sri Muhammad Ali Hashim on Sunday that he was privy to information that the firm’s current management had plans to sell its subsidiary Kulim.
Muhammad, who has served in JCorp for over 30 years, said he had obtained the information from a reliable source and expressed disappointment if the plan materialised.
He also said he hoped the decision would be considered thoroughly as Kulim was the main asset of JCorp and the Malay community, and its sale would likely invite strong opposition from Malay rights groups.
I have stopped buying products and stopped using the services of cronies:
ReplyDeleteGardenia
KFC
MPH
TM