Only three Gaza protesters outside KL McDonald's

 

VIDEO | 2.43 min

Only three activists were seen protesting at two McDonald's outlets in Kuala Lumpur today amidst calls for a national boycott over the Israeli-Gaza conflict.

At the outlet in Bangsar, two activists there claimed "hundreds" of Gaza sympathisers were planning to stage a protest, but did not show up because of police presence.

“At least two hundred protesters did not want to come too near to the restaurant because of the five police who are guarding the scene,” said one of the protesters Amrayy Ahman, who is a member of Jaringan Melayu Malaysia (JMM).

The duo put up five Israeli flags printed with "sila pijak bendera ini" (please step on this flag) and "pijak - [selfie] kaki - share di FB" on the floor as a form of protest. 

Also present was JMM director Faizan Mohd Nor, who claimed to have organised the NGO's first protest in Terengganu before staging this second one.

"We feel very angry, because they (McDonald's) have contributed to Israel, so I urge all the residents in KL not to eat McD food, if possible.

"Many of our brothers in Palestine have been slaughtered, they (the Israelis) are one evil race.  This (boycott) is the start of economic sanctions on them," Faizan said.

Asked if the boycott is going to affect the employees who are mostly Muslim Malaysians, Faizan opined that McDonald's is a giant company and therefore their workers will remain untouched.

Parking problems blamed

Explaining the low turnout of protester, he said it could be due to the traffic and lack of parking spaces around Bangsar's Jalan Telawi.

He also warned that there will be more protests to come in the near future.

In another McDonald's outlet near Masjid Jamek, Malaysiakini spotted a lone activist protesting this afternoon after Friday prayers.

The activist, who only wished to be known as Saiful, said he is not affiliated to any party and has been going around protesting for the past week.

"I have been doing this protest alone for the past week, going to various outlets," he added.

Earlier today, Saiful had stormed into the McDonald's outlet in Masjid Jamek brandishing a Palestinian flag.

He told Malaysiakini that he intends to continue at other outlets like those in Kota Raya and Bukit Bintang.

Meant to 'educate'

Palestine sympathisers angry with recent bombings in Gaza have put the popular burger chain on the grill for allegedly chanelling funds to Israel.

The Israeli attacks that started on July 8 have left 1,886 Palestinians dead and countless others injured in a trail of destruction.

Saiful said he learned about the nationwide boycott online and wanted to enlighten fellow Malaysians on the current situation at Gaza by protesting.

“It is everybody’s right if they want to eat (McDonald's products) or not. But they should be able to reason and decide not to support McDonald's which indirectly supports Israel.”

He also said he had no intention of harassing the outlets' staff or their operations but merely to make a stand and gather more support.

“I am doing this protest to educate Malaysians on the catastrophe at hand, at the same time invite them to join my noble cause,” added Saiful, who wore a bandana to cover his face.

Saiful also went around distributing leaflets to passers by calling to boycott other Israeli products and companies supporting Israel.

Among the brands spotted on the flyer were Coca Cola, IBM, Intel, Motorola and Nestle.

McD's staff the victims

Meanwhile, McDonald’s Malaysia in a statement today reiterated that the funding allegations were untrue and said they were sympathetic to Gaza's plight.

“We wish to state very clearly that McDonald’s Malaysia does not support nor condone the current conflict in the Middle East.

"Like all Malaysians, our utmost sympathies go out to the innocent victims in Gaza.”

The fast food chain also made clear that they were not funding any of the forces in Israel and have fallen prey to misinformation.

“We wish to reiterate our stand that McDonald’s Malaysia does not channel any sales, profits or franchise fees from our restaurants to support any political causes or conflicts in any part of the world.”

“We have been consistent and transparent in communicating our position, but unfortunately the information that we share have been misinterpreted by certain parties.”

The conglomerate also lamented on the mistreatment of their employees and franchisees by fellow Malaysians due to the current conflict.

“Our employees who are practically all Malaysians have had to endure harassment, threats, and verbal abuse.

"Some of our restaurants have also been subjected to acts of vandalism. Our employees and franchisees have done nothing wrong, and it is grossly unfair that they should be targeted in such a way."