ISLAMIC groups have urged local traders and vendors to stop offering products and services from Israel as a sign of protest against the Zionist regime’s cruelty on Palestinians.

They said the boycott campaign must be held aggressively to reinforce the message that Malaysia opposes the ill treatment of innocent lives.

Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association (PPIM) chief Nadzim Johan said his group will finalise the list of products in two days.

“We already have a list of products, there are just a few more that we are still looking into,” he said.

Nadzim said among the brands targeted is soft drink Coca-Cola, which once sponsored an award for an Israeli body.

Also listed for boycott is sports brand Puma for being the sole international sponsor for the Israel Football Association.

“We can do it, I recommend vendors not to buy these products and not display existing products.

“Consumers also have to play a role and learn to sacrifice. We have to stand together because this is the power of consumers,” he said.

Nadzim said dozens of pro-Malay Muslim civil society groups will join the PPIM boycott campaign.

However, the boycott of some businesses is still being evaluated, including fast food franchise brand McDonald’s, due to the company’s actions abroad in support of Israel, he said.

The brand is still under scrutiny for boycott because of its ownership in Malaysia, which has no links to Israel.

The local shareholders had also disclosed that they had been making tithe payments (zakat) since 2017.

“We want to see whether or not they object to Israel’s actions.

“If they pay zakat here but then pay someone linked to Israel for their franchise licence, then it’s the same,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

A call for Malaysians to boycott products and companies that contribute to Israel’s economy was raised by Penang mufti Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor.

He said there are companies or restaurants that donate food to the Israeli army that attacks Palestinians in Gaza.

He was referring to Israel McDonald’s action of distributing free food to Israeli soldiers and citizens after Hamas fighters carried out the attack on October 7.

However, McDonald’s Malaysia has denied that it is involved in channelling aid to Israel.

A director of McDonald’s Malaysia, Azmir Jaafar, said the company does not contribute, support or get involved in political or religious conflicts in any country.

In fact, he said McDonald’s Malaysia supports peace in Gaza by donating RM1 million to the Palestine Humanitarian Fund established by the Prime Minister’s Department.

Sending aid

Supporting the boycott call is the Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (Abim).

Its president, Muhammad Faisal Abdul Aziz, said Abim prioritised objections to diplomatic missions.

“Like last week we sent a memorandum to the United States embassy. Abim will also be sending a memorandum to the European Union delegation in Kuala Lumpur.

“Abim condemns the attack on the Gaza hospital and the issue of humanity for the Palestinian people,” he said.

In addition, he said Abim had also mobilised a humanitarian fund for the Palestinians.

“We are launching a fundraiser to send aid to the Palestinians. We can still send help because Abim has a representative in Gaza.

“But our aid is not huge. There are ways and methods to send aid,” he said. – October 21, 2023.