KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 5): Putrajaya should lead by example by getting Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) to reduce electricity tariff, a major Chinese trade group said as consumers complain that decreasing global fuel prices have not been translated into reduced prices of goods and services.

The Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM) said electricity was one of the main components of local businesses and foreign investors, and any reduction would help in alleviating operational costs which have increased over the years.

The umbrella body representing over 28,000 Malaysian-Chinese businesses nationwide said any tariff slash would not only help the private sector maintain competitiveness, but would also be translated into lower prices of goods and services which could then be passed on to consumers.

"The government and TNB should lead the way by lowering the electricity tariff with immediate effect so that any downward adjustments can reduce the cost of doing business, and as a result, bring down the price of consumer goods and stabilise the cost of living," said ACCCIM president Datuk Lim Kok Cheong (pic) in a statement.

Expressing hopes for a slash in electricity tariff, Lim said that the energy provider had over the years hiked up electricity tariff on the basis of higher fuel prices.

The last increase was in January last year, when tariff was raised by up to 16%, resulting in higher production costs and triggering spillover effects across all sectors.

Politicians from both sides of the divide have also urged TNB to reconsider its tariff following a drop in crude oil prices.

Among those who made the call were Youth and Sports minister Khairy Jamaluddin, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar and Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching.

The ACCCIM president also expressed shock over Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s recent Facebook posting urging Malays to boycott Chinese businesses that refused to lower their prices, saying it was unbelievable that a federal minister could make such an irresponsible racist remark.

Instead of being sensitive and safeguarding harmony and unity, Lim said such statements would harm society and undermine trust and racial harmony.

"Remarks made should be based on facts and figures, and please don’t incite religious and ethnic-related issues which are sensitive," he said, urging Ismail to mind his words.

In his posting, Ismail said that if the Malays boycotted Chinese businesses, they would have no choice but to lower their prices.

He also singled out the OldTown White Coffee chain owned by OldTown Bhd, saying that DAP MP Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham owned shares in the company, which Ngeh has denied.

"Malays are still refusing to boycott (OldTown White Coffee), what more when its owner is said to be the DAP Ngeh family of Perak who are known to be anti-Islam.

"As long as the Malays don't change, the Chinese will take the opportunity to oppress the Malays," Ismail had said.

His comments drew flak from the public while MCA, Gerakan and DAP members lodged police reports against him.

Following that, Ismail was hauled up by police and called to give a statement.

However, the Prime Minister's Department yesterday said the comments were "meant to rebuke traders who refuse to lower the price of goods" despite lower fuel price.

"The rebuke he made was targeted at all traders and not just traders from a particular race. Besides that, he suggested consumers use their purchasing power to force traders to reduce their price of goods," the statement said, adding that prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had reaffirmed the government's commitment to protect the interests of all races.

Last night, Ismail urged those angry with his call for a boycott of Chinese businesses to look at it positively, saying that a boycott leading to lower prices of goods would benefit all races.

He said if Malaysians were to use their collective power as consumers to boycott “stubborn” businesses, the prices of goods would drop.

“The effect is that everyone will benefit, whether they are Malays, Chinese, Indians, Kadazans,” he said on TV1's "Dialog" programme.