KUALA LUMPUR – McDonald’s Malaysia has confirmed its suit against the boycott movement BDS Malaysia and denied any support for Israel’s war on Palestine.
“Based on external legal advice, we have filed a civil suit against BDS Malaysia to protect our rights and interests in accordance with the law.
“While we understand and respect that the act of boycotting is an individual decision, we believe that it should be based on true facts and not false allegations,” the company said in a statement.
The fast-food chain, which is 100% Muslim-owned, issued its statement last night after BDS Malaysia announced on X (formerly Twitter) that it was being sued by the company.
McDonald’s operations here are run by Gerbang Alaf Restaurants Sdn Bhd, which in 2017 was fully taken over by the Reza Group from Saudi Arabia and a local business partner.
BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) Malaysia said it was being sued for RM6 million and confirmed receiving the writ of summons, while denying that it had defamed the global brand.
McDonald’s Malaysia, which has been operating here since 1982, said it has always been transparent and consistent in its communications and does not support or condone the current conflict in the Middle East.
“Like all Malaysians, our utmost sympathies go out to the innocent victims in Gaza.”
The company reiterated the fact that it had donated RM1 million to the Malaysian government’s Palestinian Humanitarian Fund.
“We further reiterate our stand that McDonald’s Malaysia does not channel any sales, profits, royalties or franchise fees from restaurant operations to support any political cause or conflict in any part of the world.
“(We) will continue to pray for the end of the conflict and continued peace in Gaza,” it said.
Of the RM6 million demanded by McDonald’s Malaysia, RM3 million is for loss of profitability due to shorter business hours, RM1.5 million is for severance compensation to be paid to former employees, and RM1.5 million is for expired food products and raw material waste.
It is also demanding compensation for exemplary, special and general damages, as well as 5% interest per annum, costs and 5% interest on costs.
The fast-food chain also wants BDS Malaysia to issue an unconditional apology via their website, Facebook and Instagram pages, as well as to take down the defamatory social media posts that featured the brand’s logo in calling for a boycott and to reveal the identities of all parties involved in spreading the posts. – December 30, 2023