BDS-holes in Malaysia have been served by McDonald’s…a writ of summons.
McDonald’s Malaysia has sued a movement promoting boycotts against Israel for “false and defamatory statements” that it says hurt its business, seeking damages amounting to 6 million ringgit ($1.31 million).
Malaysia, a majority-Muslim country, is a staunch supporter of the Palestinians, and some Western fast-food brands in the country, as in some other Muslim nations, have been targeted by boycott campaigns over Israel’s military offensive in Gaza.
Gerbang Alaf Restaurants Sdn Bhd (GAR), which is the licencee of McDonald’s (MCD.N) in Malaysia, is suing the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) Malaysia movement for a series of social media postings allegedly linking the fast-food franchise, among other companies, to Israel’s “genocidal war against Palestinians in Gaza”.
According to a writ of summons dated Dec. 19 sighted by Reuters, Gerbang Alaf Restaurants alleged that BDS Malaysia incited the public to boycott McDonald’s Malaysia, which led to a loss of profit and job cuts, among other damages, due to closures and shortened operating hours of its outlets.
McDonald’s Malaysia confirmed it filed the suit against BDS Malaysia to protect its “rights and interests”, it said in a statement on Friday.
In response, BDS Malaysia said it “categorically denies” defaming the fast-food company and would leave the matter to the court.
McDonalds Malaysia are by no means on team Israel, they just don’t appreciate being defamed with false information:
The civil suit against non-governmental organisation Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) Malaysia by McDonald’s Malaysia is to protect the rights and interests of the company.
The fast-food chain, in confirming the legal action, reiterated that none of its sales, profits, royalties, or franchise fees fund any political cause or conflict.
“We have been transparent and consistent with our communications that McDonald’s Malaysia does not support nor condone the current conflict in the Middle East and like all Malaysians, our utmost sympathies go out to the innocent victims in Gaza.
“We have contributed a sum of RM1 million 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.
“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.
“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,” it said in a statement.
By the way, this is a thing at McDonalds Malaysia:
Here’s hoping they serve BDS Malaysia a big fat bankruptcy burger…with or without fries.
