“The Cabinet rejects such narrow views based on racial sentiments which are being played up by certain quarters as they could affect the country’s harmony and wellbeing,” the Prime Minister’s Department said in a statement issued after a Cabinet meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

It urged Malaysians to support locally produced goods for the country’s benefit.

On Friday, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had called for an end to the boycott campaign as it could only anger other quarters, besides being an ineffective measure.

He criticised the “shallow-minded people” behind the campaign.

The campaign movement began on social media, with the Bumiputera community urged to avoid buying products made by businesses owned by non-Bumiputeras.

Malaysiakini also reported that a number of NGOs had called for a boycott of halal products made by non-Muslims.

During the weekend, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng called for PAS and Umno to condemn calls for a boycott of products produced by non-Bumiputeras, saying it was counter-productive and could jeopardise national unity.

But PAS and Perlis mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin defended the campaign in support of products made by Muslims, saying it should be seen positively.

They said the campaign is aimed at strengthening the economic power of Muslims and giving them a competitive edge.