Malaysia: Boycott campaigns hit dozens of brands accused of supporting Israel

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00:00 In the streets of Kuala Lumpur, 7,000 kilometres away from Gaza, Malaysian population has been

00:06 showing its support for Palestine for months, by boycotting dozens of brands accused of

00:11 supporting Israel.

00:14 Farwina Farrokh and her friend have not set foot inside one of these restaurants for the

00:18 past seven months.

00:19 They blame this well-known brand for distributing free meals to Israeli soldiers last October.

00:24 "We wanted to be able to do something to stop the ongoing genocide in Gaza and this is what

00:31 we are doing.

00:32 We are exercising our rights not to support the company that is supporting the genocide."

00:38 This boycott is a global movement, but it is particularly big in Malaysia.

00:45 The country has long since supported the Palestinian cause.

00:49 Activists say they will not stop until the brands take a real stand in favour of Palestine.

00:55 "If this company gets out of Israel, that would be ideal.

01:00 But if they issue a statement to say that they condemn the Israeli genocide, that would

01:06 be acceptable as well."

01:08 The targeted brands are already suffering from the consequences of the movement.

01:12 After major profit losses, all have denied having any kind of political agenda.

01:18 Despite false statements spread through social media, we do not use our profits to fund any

01:23 government or military operations anywhere, and never have.

01:28 With less consumers seeking out these well-known brands, hundreds of businesses have been forced

01:33 to close down at least temporarily.

01:36 This consultant in human resources fears long-term consequences for Malaysia's job market.

01:41 "Firstly, the brand suffers.

01:44 The next one to suffer would be the employees because the job is at stake.

01:48 The longer it goes, the longer the sufferer is and the unemployment rate may go up."

01:54 Targeted brands in Malaysia employ several thousands of people across the country.

01:59 (metal clanging)

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