The Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) Malaysia movement has contested the validity of a news release issued by Gerbang Alaf, a McDonald’s franchisee in Malaysia, announcing the termination of their legal action.
In a news release dated March 22, McDonald’s Malaysia’s managing director said that the company had withdrawn its RM6 million defamation case against BDS Malaysia.
The activist group asserts, however, that this announcement is not a true reflection of the current judicial procedures.
BDS Malaysia stated today that Gerbang Alaf’s refusal to recognize Israeli activity in Gaza as genocide prevented a first mediation session agreement.
The group said that they thought Gerbang Alaf’s case against them was “very weak”. If the matter had gone to a full trial, they were convinced they would win.
Additionally, BDS Malaysia disclosed that the two sides have yet to agree on the withdrawal conditions. Thus, the lawsuit has not been completely dropped. The conclusion of the dispute is now slated to take place on April 18 before a judge selected by the court.
The dispute started earlier this year when McDonald’s Malaysia’s franchisee, Gerbang Alaf, filed a lawsuit against BDS Malaysia. They claimed the activist group’s campaign against the fast-food chain’s Malaysian operations caused financial harm and slander.
BDS Malaysia is pressuring Gerbang Alaf to denounce what they refer to as “Israeli crimes of genocide in Gaza”. It implies that the group is using this legal dispute to further their political cause. The conflict arises from the franchise’s purported ties to Israel.
