Indian netizens have started a #BoycottMalaysia campaign on social media, triggered by Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad’s (pictured) comments on the Jammu-Kashmir territorial conflict made during the recent general debate of the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
PM Mahathir also reiterated his comments on his Twitter account, stating that despite the UN’s resolution on Jammu and Kashmir, “the country has been invaded and occupied”. While he acknowledged there may be reasons for the action, the prime minister said it is “still wrong” and urges India to work with Pakistan to resolve the problem through “peaceful means”. The two tweets have attracted near to 6,000 retweets in five days.
There may be reasons for this action but it is still wrong. The problem must be solved by peaceful means. India should work with Pakistan to resolve this problem. Ignoring the UN would lead to other forms of disregard for the UN and the Rule of Law. pic.twitter.com/QOQtIkPTC1
— Dr Mahathir Mohamad (@chedetofficial) September 28, 2019
Stating that PM Mahathir seems to be taking Pakistan’s side, Indian netizens have vowed to stop travelling to Malaysia or purchasing the country’s products. Some went as far as to tag the accounts of Malaysian entities such as Tourism Malaysia and AirAsia on Twitter.
Users supporting the boycott seem certain that the act would hurt Malaysia’s tourism and exports significantly, adding that “this is the last thing Malaysia would have wanted”.
Malaysia eyes 1 mn Indian visitors.
India is the sixth top tourist source market for Malaysia.
But we need to #BoycottMalaysia & Boycott @TourismMalaysia.
They are enemy of India & a terrorist state in making.
https://t.co/vrhwLqNppd— Voice of Assam (@VoiceOfAxom) October 1, 2019
Shameless @chedetofficial finally shown your true colors.
I urge each and every Patriot Indian to #BoycottMalaysia .
The Shameless PM of this country is openly supporting Pakistan.
Going to boycott @AirAsia
Boycott Each and every thing related to #Malaysia #BoycottMalaysia— रुपेश 🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳 (@Rajpoot_Roopesh) September 29, 2019
Malaysia’s has planned to get ONE MILLION Indian Tourists by 2020.
If Indians take it upon themselves to go anywhere else but to Malaysia, the country would be on it’s knees! People need to appeal to Tour Operators to discourage tourists from choosing Malaysia. #BoycottMalaysia
— Deepak (@DeepakJ2015) September 29, 2019
This is the last thing Malaysia would have wanted.
Bad days for malaysian business ahead.
You will feel the heat when India will respond by closing the market for Malaysia and increased tarrifs.
Better start exporting tomatoes to pakistan.😂😂
Best wishes.#BoycottMalaysia https://t.co/9VYRsexNq3— ☠️AGENT OF CHAOS☠️ 💯🔁 (@AGENTOF01011076) September 29, 2019
Malaysia exports about US $ 8 billion worth of goods to India…Given their stand against India…Time to boycott?#BoycottMalaysia
— Shailendra Agarwal (@shailendra1111) September 28, 2019
Meanwhile, Malaysians do not seem to agree about the impact of the boycott. Others pointed out that the focus should be on the matter at hand instead of pitting the countries against one another or expressed respect for PM Mahathir for speaking his mind.
When i read about #BoycottMalaysia thread, the India is literally sick. We just said what they done to Kashmir and wanna boycott us? What is going on 🙄🙄🙄🙄
Haha.. One country boycott will not affect us bitch.Malaysia still rise #BoycottMalaysia pic.twitter.com/0D5abQgKgo— 4km4🤗 (@UkhtyAkma) October 1, 2019
As a person who has lived in both India and Malaysia, the #BoycottMalaysia makes no sense. Malaysia is not anti Indian or Hindu (visit once and find out) in the slightest; @chedetofficial was highlighting the negative state of Kashmir right now! Focus on the PEOPLE is the msg!
— Anirudh Narayanan (@UhKneeRude) September 30, 2019
So proud of our Prime Minister, despite his old age he is one of only few people in this world who is brave enough to speak about the truth and stand for those people’s rights! #BoycottMalaysia ??? Nahh you guys are actually terrified about the ugly truth. #ProudMalaysian here 💪🏽
— faz (@sensationalblue) September 30, 2019
with the recent #BoycottMalaysia . one of the reason i respect @chedetofficial as my leader of the nation. Sure he has some bad policies and controversy and what not. But he’s outright outspoken stand on whats wrong is something all future malaysian prime ministers should be
— shiroyatsu (@hariz44577106) September 30, 2019
The #BoycottMalaysia campaign on social media comes after PM Mahathir and Pakistani PM Imran Khan made the decision at UNGA to set up a joint committee in an effort to pinpoint trade and investment opportunities in the two countries. Malaysian economic affairs minister Mohamed Azmin said his ministry would take immediate action to spearhead the initiative.
(Photo courtesy: PM Mahathir’s Facebook)
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