Local Businesses Gain Attention Following Boycott Movement Against Pro-Israel Companies

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Malaysian consumers have been choosing local businesses as alternatives amid the boycott movement against companies that associate with Israel, such as McDonald’s and Starbucks.

A local street burger chain, Ramly.

(Source: @ErenaTakeuchi on X)

Users have listed pro-Israel brands on social media and websites can be found online to search for Israel-linked companies. However, some companies fall into the grey area as they have yet to voice out and selecting local brands is the safest choice for Malaysians.

A user on TikTok shows Malaysian brands to support at Suria KLCC.

(Source: Nine @nine_nanon on TikTok)

One of Malaysia’s top tourist attractions, the Petronas Twin Towers shopping mall, Suria KLCC’s Starbucks is seen to be near-empty during weekends and weekdays during lunch hour. People had to wait in lines to dine at Kenny Hills Bakers, San Francisco Coffee and Zus Coffee, which are local coffee brands.

Fathimath Baanee Waheed, 23, a student and a supporter of the boycott, said that local alternatives for Starbucks “are way better and cheaper” to begin with.

There has always been a perception that foreign brands and imported products are of better quality, while local goods are only cheaper alternatives.

The ‘Sapot Lokal’ (Support Local) movement has found an opportunity to grow due to the current situation as people doubted their support for foreign products.

According to the New Straits Times, Economist Associate Professor Dr Nuradli Ridzwan Shah Mohd Dali highlighted that there will be an increase in purchasing power in the Malaysian market due to the change in consumers’ preferences.

However, consumers should not only support local brands as they are alternatives to boycotted companies. To effectively boost the economy, consumers must consistently support local brands for every product they consume.

On the other hand, a social media user on Facebook, Isyqi Mazlan, has expressed disappointment with the local alternative for McDonald’s, the Malaysian fast-food restaurant chain Marrybrown, for continuing to serve beverages from The Coca-Cola Company, a pro-Israel company.

Some people have also expressed that boycotting McDonald's and Starbucks in Malaysia will cause financial and emotional distress among the employees as they have to support their families.

“I don't understand the consequences or the things that'll happen by boycotting all these things”, Sohail Aziz, 30, a clinical pharmacist who was ​​accompanying a friend to dine in at Starbucks.

“But in some way, it's a kind of solidarity with the people who are suffering, so just for the solidarity, it's fine, but I don't think it'll affect anything”, added Aziz.