KUALA LUMPUR: Celebrities venturing into businesses outside the entertainment industry is not something new.
From hijab to clothing items to make-up and many more, Malaysian celebrities have always been trying their hand at businesses. Some have been successful in making their mark as entrepreneurs, for instance actress and television host Neelofa.
Recently, another celebrity Rosyam Nor announced the opening of a grocery store, called ST Rosyam Mart, situated in Setiawangsa.
With the 24-hour mart launched just yesterday, there have been calls made on social media to boycott his business simply because he happened to be an Umno supporter, or more specifically a supporter of former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
Commenting on the matter, Sik's Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) chief Sulaiman Ibrahim issued a statement advising Pakatan Harapan (PH) supporters to not be vengeful against celebrities who do not support the coalition.
"We have to respect individual stands and their rights, no matter what their choices are," Sulaiman said.
"I don't agree if we get carried away with politics of vengeance via social media until it affects someone's livelihood," he added.
Sulaiman said that as celebrities, they have every right, just like everyone else, to lend support to whichever party they felt was the best for them.
"Respect others and other people will respect us despite having different political beliefs," he said.
Among the calls to boycott Rosyam's store came from one 'Dato Fauzi' who posted on the Gerakan Bersatu PPBM Malaysia (GBPM) Facebook group.
"Let us boycott ST Rosyam Mart... Rosyam has been insulting PH leaders, especially Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for a long time...Say no to ST Rosyam Mart," the post read.
To date, the post has garnered 217 shares with close to 300 comments.