KUALA LUMPUR, March 22: McDonald’s Malaysia will withdraw the legal suit against the pro-Palestinian group Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) Malaysia.
Its managing director and local operating partner, Datuk Azmir Jaafar, said a brand defamation legal suit was filed to ensure McDonald’s Malaysia’s position on the Middle East conflict was made clear.
“With the positive outcome of the mediation and clarifications made by BDS in their recent statements, acknowledging that the actions of McDonald’s operator in Israel are wholly independent of McDonald’s Malaysia, we will be withdrawing the legal suit,” he said in a statement today.
Azmir also said that McDonald’s Malaysia stands firm in not supporting any conflicts or wars.
“Having operated for more than four decades in Malaysia and being a 100 per cent Muslim-owned business, we are proud to be a member of the local community, unwavering in our commitment to transparency, ethical business practices, and social responsibility towards Malaysians.
“Our hearts go out to the innocent victims in Gaza who are caught in the conflict,” he said.
Azmir said McDonald’s Malaysia firmly condemn all forms of violence and prays for an end to the war and continued peace.
He said the company continues to support Palestinians impacted by the violence by contributing to the Palestine Humanitarian Fund and various employee fundraising initiatives to further support relief efforts in Gaza.
“We hope that the decision made today will allow all parties to move forward and focus on finding a resolution that upholds justice,” he said.
Last year, Gerbang Alaf Restaurants Sdn Bhd, the licensee of McDonald’s in Malaysia, demanded BDS Malaysia issue an apology over alleged defamatory statements and RM6 million in damages.
— BERNAMA