For the past few weeks, netizens worldwide have listed down every global brand to boycott in support of the people of Palestine against their oppressors. Despite McDonald’s Malaysia’s continuous explanations that they have no ties with Israel, people have opted for alternatives just to be safe.
Recently, the people of Malaysia have noticed Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming’s lack of support for the people of Palestine. It was said that the politician has yet to share his political stance on the ongoing genocide in the Middle East which has led many to boycott Old Town White Coffee, a company that has been rumoured to be partially owned by Nga Kor Ming.
This information, however, is not true and could possibly be a politically motivated personal attack against the minister. Regardless, that hasn’t stopped people from boycotting the local coffee brand and this was certainly not the first time people have boycotted Old Town White Coffee as the brand has had their share of controversies in the past. One outlet was called out for the poor quality of their food while another was raided by authorities for allegedly adding pork to their curry mee.
While we have yet to see the effects of the Old Town White Coffee boycott, McDonald’s Malaysia has taken a big hit. Previously, a video was posted by an employee that showed her deaf colleague struggling to make ends meet due to the lack of customers. In a follow-up video that’s been circulating on social media, several McD employees shared their struggles they’ve been facing following the public’s boycott.
Some revealed that they were shamed for wearing their uniforms in public while others said that they needed to take a few days off to find other ways to make money. The video sparked debate on whether Malaysians should continue to boycott the brand. Some argued that they should persist while still practising kindness towards the employees as they’re not at fault. Others suspected that McD is using the video to guilt-trip customers into buying their food again.
https://www.tiktok.com/@fuzirah/video/7296292284394458370?refer=embed
In a recent press conference in Putraya, the General Manager and Developmental Licensee of Reza Food Services Co Ltd, Abdulrahman Alireza explained that the Malaysian branch’s royalty payments are not used to support the war, instead the funds are allocated for the company’s promotions, training and other expenses in building the brand.
He also addressed how the boycott had affected the workers, saying that these people have families to support and should not be attacked for simply working at McDonald’s. What are your thoughts on the whole situation?
Sources: TheRakyatPost, TikTok, Twitter, Astro Awani, MalayMail
