McDonald's Malaysia filed a lawsuit against the Israel boycott movement called BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions). The fast-food chain giant said that the posts of BDS on social media are negatively affecting its business.
Businesses in Malaysia that support Israel are in a bad situation as the Israel-Hamas war continues. This is because Malaysia is an Asian country with lots of people who support Palestinians.
A supporter wears a T-shirt reading 'Boycott Israel' at the Palestinian embassy in Kuala Lumpur, during a rally against Israeli air strikes on Gaza, on July 17, 2014. Israel and Hamas have agreed to a UN request to halt hostilities for five hours on humanitarian grounds on July 17.
This is why many Western fast-food brands in Malaysia are being targeted by Palestinian supporters using their boycott campaigns. Their latest target is McDonald's.
McDonald's Malaysia Files Lawsuit Against Israel Boycott Movement
According to Sky News' latest report, the licensee of McDonald's Malaysia, GAR (Gerbang Alaf Restaurants Sdn Bhd), announced that it is filing a legal action against BDS Malaysia.
GAR said that they will sue the Israel boycott movement over a series of social media posts. Based on the complaint of McDonald's Malaysia, these posts allegedly linked the American food franchise to the "genocidal war" that Israel is doing against Palestinians.
Aside from McDonald's, the lawsuit stated that there are other companies that were targeted by the social media posts of BDS. GAR accuses the Israel boycott movement of encouraging the public to cancel McDonald's Malaysia.
The licensee explained that the social media posts attacking McDonald's led to a loss of profit, as well as layoffs. GAR further stated that these damages happened because of closures and shortened operating hours of its outlets caused by the boycott.
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McDonald's Contributions to Malaysia
A popular US food chain McDonald's outlet in Kuala Lumpur which is usually packed with tourists has many empty tables 01 April 2003. Malaysia's health authorities has announced the country's first suspected cases of the deadly pneumonia virus saying eight people with the symptoms of SARS had been admitted to hospital for tests.
The Star reported that McDonald's Malaysia argues that it doesn't use its profits, sales, royalties, and franchise fees to support any political cause or conflict.
The American fast-food chain company argued that they are even contributing to the Palestinian Humanitarian Fund launched by the Malaysian government.
"Like all Malaysians, our utmost sympathies go out to the innocent victims in Gaza," said McDonald's.
"We have contributed RM1mil to the Palestinian Humanitarian Fund launched by the government and will continue to pray for the end of the conflict and continued peace in Gaza," added the food franchise.
McDonald's Malaysia said that it truly understand and respect that act of cancel culture. However, companies should not be boycotted based on false allegations.
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