Joseph Sipalan

My Take | Are Malaysian consumers ‘missing the target’ in anti-Israel boycotts of Western brands?

It is a consumer’s right to shun a global business, but it may end up missing the target as local franchise holders are the ones bearing losses

Putting aside their alleged ties to Israel, these companies contribute to their Malaysian staff’s government mandated private retirement fund and insurance coverage

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Boycott, Divestment, and Sanction supporters outside the Shah Alam High Court in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: Hadi Azmi

Joseph Sipalan

Published: 10:30am, 10 May 2024

If you have ever wondered if a boycott could make global conglomerates wince, look no further than Malaysia.

Consumers in the Muslim-majority nation have wielded their collective financial muscle for over half a year to punish American brands that are seen to have links with Israel, in protest of the Israel-Gaza war that has killed over 34,000 people to date, mostly civilians including many women and children.

Fast food giant KFC was the latest casualty, announcing last week that it had temporarily closed outlets in predominantly Muslim areas due to “challenging economic conditions”.

This followed an earlier fallout by fast food rival McDonald’s, and US coffee chain Starbucks that reported steep losses attributed to the sustained boycott.

Malaysian women sit next to Colonel Sanders, the famous icon of Kentucky Fried Chicken, in Kuala Lumpur. KFC temporarily closed outlets in predominantly Muslim areas due to “challenging economic conditions” from the anti-Israel boycott. Photo: AFP

Outrage is an effective motivator.