KUALA LUMPUR ― Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob told Malay Mail Online today he sees “nothing wrong” in using a ministerial letterhead in writing to terminate his HSBC credit card service.
The minister of agriculture and agro-based industry had drawn flak on social media after he posted a composite photo on his Instagram account Wednesday, which showed him cutting up a HSBC credit card, as well as the termination letter that he penned to protest the British bank’s alleged support of Israel.
“My personal card. Nothing wrong… unless I use Kementerian Pertanian letterhead,” Ismail said when contacted, referring to his ministry by its Malay name.
The minister insisted that his letter with the heading “Menteri Pertanian dan Industri Asas Tani Malaysia” (Minister of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry) did not amount to an official letter from his ministry.
He explained that there were two types of letterhead, with the one carrying his ministerial title meant for his personal use, while the letterhead bearing his ministry’s name would be used for official letters.
When asked to respond to allegations by Internet users that he was cutting an expired credit card, Ismail showed a close-up photo of his credit card being cut, with the expiry date stated as 03/16 or March 2016.
Ismail also confirmed that he had fully settled his credit card bills with HSBC and did not have any other accounts with the bank.
He claimed his critics who had allegedly “manipulated” the letterhead issue and “lied” about his credit card expiry date were supporting Israel, saying that they were diverting attention from his intentions.
“I cut the card as a sign of protest towards HSBC’s action in closing down the accounts of Muslim organisations that support Palestine… Bank should be more professional… but that action showed their attitude of open support towards Israel,” he said.
In a July 30 report, British daily The Guardian reported that HSBC had sent out letters that month informing three Muslim organisations, including the Ummah Welfare Trust (UWT), that it would close down their accounts as they fell outside the bank’s “risk appetite”.
The UWT was quoted as saying that it was a charity group providing aid to the Palestinians in Gaza.
According to The Guardian, UWT’s channelling of funds in the past to Palestinian charity organisation Interpal had led to accusations that it had ties to terrorism.
The US treasury had viewed Interpal as backing Palestinian militant group Hamas, while UWT told The Guardian that the UK’s Charity Commission had not found it guilty of any wrongdoing. UWT also said it no longer works with Interpal.
When asked whether other Malaysians protesting the Gaza attacks should follow his lead, Ismail said it was up to them to express their views in the ways they desired.
“Up to individual to show their protest to Israel and support Palestine… some demo.. some donate money… some boycott product… some sembahyang hajat (make special prayers).. some pray… some even goes to Palestine,” he said.
Malaysians have joined others worldwide in protesting the Israeli offensive against Gaza that has already killed more than 1,800 Palestinians. -Malay Mail
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