Over the past two years, people around the world, including in Malaysia, have consistently boycotted global brands featured on the BDS boycott list, in solidarity with the people of Palestine. Although these companies have not admitted to any decline in business, it’s clear that things haven’t been the same.
There have been multiple reports of Starbucks outlets closing down or relocating, and it appears that another one has joined the list. Locals have reported that the brand’s Plaza Merdeka branch has officially closed its doors, permanently.
If you’re a frequent visitor to Plaza Merdeka Mall in Kuching, Sarawak, you’ve probably spent time at, or at least walked past, the Starbucks store inside the shopping centre. According to multiple sources, the outlet ceased operations last week. It was said to be one of the first Starbucks stores to open in Kuching city centre and had long been considered a popular hotspot in the area.
The store’s former manager, Musrifin Musa, confirmed the closure in a post on Instagram. He reminisced about his time working at the outlet, which he described as his “baby”, as he had been its first store manager. He also thanked his former team members for their contributions over the years and for the bond they had built while working together. “Starbucks has never been just a workplace to me; it has truly been a second family. Together we laughed, learned, struggled, and grew side by side,” he wrote.
At the time of writing, there is information on why the store is no longer operational at the mall, but netizens suspect that it’s due to the ongoing boycott. Strangely, neither Starbucks Malaysia nor Plaza Merdeka announced the store’s closure on their social media pages. The brand’s official website also has no update indicating that the outlet has closed, but a quick Google search shows that it has indeed ceased operations.
Have you been to this particular Starbucks outlet?
Sources: Instagram (1)(2), Facebook
