ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA – The boycott of products affiliated with Israel in Southeast Asia continues.
In Malaysia, QSR Brands (M) Holdings Bhd temporarily closed more than 100 KFC outlets due to the movement to boycott Israeli-affiliated products amid the war in Palestine.
According to a local Chinese daily report, the company that owns and operates the KFC fast food franchise in the neighboring country has closed its outlets since Saturday, April 27, 2024.
Quoted from The Star, Monday, April 29 2024, the report noted that Kelantan was the most affected area, with almost 80 percent or 21 outlets suspended, followed by 15 outlets in Johor.
Apart from Malaysia, QSR Brands owns and operates franchises of the fast food chain in Singapore, Brunei Darussalam and Cambodia.
According to its website, there are a total of 850 KFC outlets in the four countries, as well as more than 480 Pizza Hut restaurants, as well as delivery services in Malaysia and Singapore.
It is said that Malaysia is ranked as the country with one of the largest KFC and Pizza Hut stores.
Johor state’s investment arm, Johor Corp, is the largest shareholder in QSR Brands, which, along with its unit KFC Holdings (M) Bhd, was taken over in February 2013. Apart from KFC, several other global brands, such as Starbucks and McDonald’s, face intense boycotts for their alleged support for or ties to Israel.
Similar movements were also voiced in Indonesia. Regarding the boycott of certain products, the Indonesian Ulama Council (MUI) emphasized that it does not have the authority to issue a list of products affiliated with Israel. However, they still encourage Muslim consumers and various stakeholders to actively do their own research.
“Stakeholders, such as the government, related ministries and non-structural institutions, can actively participate in providing literacy to the public by disclosing data and information on which products are affiliated, as well as stating clear sources, that’s not a problem,” said MUI Deputy Secretary General KH Arif Fakhruddin in his official statement in Jakarta at the end of March 2024.
Arif stated that the MUI allows institutions or communities carrying out boycotts to conduct research, with the aim of proving that a product is truly affiliated with Israel.
MUI also appealed to the public to use the list of Israeli-affiliated products from clear sources as a reference.
Earlier this month, the National Zakat Amil Agency (BAZNAS) stated that it would no longer accept donations from McDonald’s Indonesia, whether related to Palestinians or assistance to mustahik in other programs.
Quoting the official website, 6 April 2024, this statement was made by Deputy I of BAZNAS for Collections, Arifin Purwakananta, who followed up on the direction of the Chairman of BAZNAS, Prof. Noor Ahmad.
“By paying close attention to the criticism and rejection from various elements of society regarding the assistance BAZNAS received from McDonald’s for Palestine, BAZNAS decided to take this step. BAZNAS also expressed its gratitude for the attention and love of muzaki and the community for BAZNAS all this time. We apologize for the public’s concerns and will continue to improve ourselves in the future,” he said.
BAZNAS is still continuing to distribute aid to Gaza. They also continue to coordinate with the MUI in distributing alms from the Indonesian people to residents in Gaza.
In its distribution, the party has collaborated with three philanthropic institutions from Egypt, namely Mishr Al-Kheir, Bayt Zakat Wa As-Shadaqat, and the Egyptian Red Crescent Society (ERCS).
McDonald’s Indonesia, which is facing a boycott movement because its brand is suspected of being affiliated with Israel, has distributed humanitarian aid amounting to IDR 1.5 billion through BAZNAS via PT Rekso Nasional Food, the franchise holder of the fast food chain. The company said it wanted to play an active role in supporting humanitarian efforts in Gaza, Palestine.
“We are very concerned to see the increasing number of people affected by the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. This assistance is a concrete manifestation of the company’s commitment to human values, as well as the first step the company is taking to ease the burden on our brothers and sisters in Palestine,” said HR & GS Director PT National Rekso Food, Yulianti Hadena, November 8 2023. (ATN)
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