SIBU: The Sarawak Regional National Consumer Action Council (MTPN) backs Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s call to strengthen the domestic economy by prioritising local products amid rising living costs.
The organisation stressed that prioritising local products is the most practical step in building a more sustainable and independent national economy.
Its president, Lucas Lau, said that his party understands the difficulties faced by the people at this time, including the financial burden that is increasingly pressing on every household.
He also raised the question of whether the high reliance on imported goods over the years has weakened the domestic economy’s ability to protect the people’s welfare.
“The reality that must be accepted is that the country’s economic sovereignty cannot continue to depend entirely on external markets that are beyond our control.
“Therefore, the long-term solution is to strengthen internal strength through continued support for local products, thus reducing the pressure of imported inflation that affects consumers,” he said in a statement issued here on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Lau stressed that efforts to strengthen the local economy require a two-way commitment between consumers and industry players.
According to him, local manufacturers, brands and distributors should not take advantage of consumers’ patriotism by raising prices unreasonably.
“The people’s support must be reciprocated by offering fair prices and appropriate quality, rather than pursuing short-term profits,” he stressed.
In this regard, he urged consumers to see every purchase as a form of support for the country’s economic strength.
He said that by prioritising ethical local products, consumers not only help the survival of community businesses, but also contribute to the formation of a more resilient economic ecosystem.
“This is the best time to prove that unity in economic action, based on the honesty of traders and consumer awareness, can be a bulwark strong for the well-being of future generations,” Lau added.
