Don’t go overboard, minister tells those boycotting foreign brands

 

Netizens labelled customers at fast-food chains like McDonald’s and KFC as ‘dogs’ on social media after pictures went viral of such eateries bustling with customers over the festive season.

PETALING JAYA: Those taking part in boycotts of brands purportedly linked to Israel should not take “excessive and extreme” actions in their campaign, says religious affairs minister Na’im Mokhtar.

Following reports of certain individuals taking to social media to disparage customers at eateries like McDonald’s and KFC, Na’im said there was a need for all parties to safeguard national harmony and unity.

“We urge all parties not to take any extreme or excessive action that would cause harm to any other party,” he told FMT.

Recently, netizens had labelled customers at fast-food chains like McDonald’s and KFC as “dogs” on social media, after pictures went viral of such eateries bustling with customers during Aidilfitri.

Over the weekend, an individual claimed that a group of men had insulted him when he went to a McDonald’s outlet in Kuantan, Pahang, with his family. One of them also allegedly threatened to hit him with a helmet as he was leaving the outlet.

Five people have been arrested in connection with the incident.

A Starbucks outlet in Tawau, Sabah, was vandalised this morning, with two people spray-painting its exterior wall with the words “free Palestine” and “boikot”.

Na’im maintained that Israel’s inhumane action towards the people of Palestine was unacceptable. However, any action taken by Malaysians in solidarity with the Palestinian cause must be morally sound.

“All parties must always preserve the harmony and unity of our society. Any action that can trigger unease among the public should be avoided altogether.

“In this matter, (the public) can refer to the respective state Islamic authorities to obtain explanations (on current issues) based on the true understanding of Islam,” he said.

Previously, Federal Territories mufti Luqman Abdullah advised those boycotting brands purportedly linked to Israel to act according to the law and not go beyond moral boundaries.

Luqman said it was a consumer’s right to boycott a certain brand or product, and that others cannot be forced to follow suit. - FMT