McDonald’s upset over boycott
New Straits Times – 4 hours ago
KUALA LUMPUR: McDonald’s Malaysia has re-iterated that it does not channel any sales, profits or franchise fees from any of their restaurants to support any political causes or conflicts in any part of the world.
Its Chief Managing Director, Stephen Chew said the com pany had been consistent and transparent in communicating their current position, but unfortunately the information that they share have been misinterpreted by certain parties.
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| Stephen Chew, Managing Director, McDonald's Malaysia |
“We wish to state very clearly that McDonald’s Malaysia does not support nor condone the current conflict in the Middle East. Like all Malaysians, our utmost sympathies go out to the innocent victims in Gaza.
“While we understand and respect that the act of boy cotting is an individual decision, nevertheless we are dis appointed that McDonald’s Malaysia has been unfairly tar geted,” said Chow.
He urged Malaysians to remain calm and to refrain from carrying out any acts that may cause harm any parties.
He also added that their employees who are practically all Malaysians have had to endure harassment, threats, and verbal abuse.
“Some of our restaurants have also been subjected to acts of vandalism to the extent that we had no choice but to shut down our operations for the day.
“The reality is that our employees and franchisees have done nothing wrong, and it is grossly unfair that they should be targeted in such a way,” said Chow.
He urged everyone to continue praying for the end of the conflict and peace in Gaza.
Three McDonald’s outlets saw a peaceful protest outside their respective premises at Masjid Jamek, Jalan Tun Perak near here and Klebang, Malacca.
In ALOR STAR some 200 people gathered in front of a McDonald's outlet in Alor Star Walk for a peaceful demon stration.
Made of members from Gabungan Pelajar Melayu Se menanjung (GPMS), Pertubuhan Kebajikan dan Dakwah Islamiah (Pekida) and members of the public, they protested after Friday prayers at Masjid Zahir before marching to the outlet while chanting "Boycott McD dan kekejaman Zion ist".
Kedah GPMS chairman Shamsul Bahar Abdul Rani said that Israelis atrocities in Palestine had gotten out of hand.
Pertubuhan Kebajikan dan Dakwah Islamiah (Pekida) Kota Star district committee member Baharudin Mohd Ali said many Malaysians were not aware of the impact of using Israeli products.
"The government should provide detailed list of goods and services which linked to Israelis to create a bigger impact to the boycott campaign," said Baharudin.
Several non-governmental organisations and members had recently launched a campaign to promote yesterday as the "No McDonald's Day" as part of a campaign against multi-national corporations allegedly channeling funds to Israel.
Supporters of Palestine had taken to social media plat forms, including Twitter and WhatsApp, to call for a 24-hour boycott of the fast-food chain to pressure Israel to stop its attacks on Gaza, which have killed almost 2,000 people since last month.
A campaign image online also called for the boycott to continue beyond Friday until there is “no more Zionist regime in Palestine”.
