Don’t go overboard in boycott, mufti says after McD’s threat case

Federal Territories mufti Luqman Abdullah has urged the people to maintain good manners in everything they do, amid the ongoing boycott of eateries such as McDonald’s.

PETALING JAYA: Federal Territories mufti Luqman Abdullah has advised those boycotting brands purportedly linked to Israel against going beyond moral boundaries, urging them to act according to the law.

Luqman told FMT that it was a consumer’s right to boycott a certain brand or product, and that others cannot be forced to follow suit.

“I advise the people to maintain good manners and morality in everything they do,” he said, adding that consumers should decide whether or not to boycott brands like McDonald’s based on their evaluation of facts.

Netizens on social media had labelled customers at fast food chains like McDonald’s and KFC as “dogs”, after pictures went viral of such eateries bustling with customers during Aidilfitri.

Over the weekend, an individual claimed that a group of men had insulted him when he went to a McDonald’s outlet in Kuantan, Pahang, with his family. One of them also allegedly threatened to hit him with a helmet as he was leaving the outlet.

Five people have been arrested over the incident. They are being investigated for criminal intimidation under Section 506 of the Penal Code, which carries a penalty of two years’ jail, a fine, or both, upon conviction.

Luqman reminded Muslims that such extreme behaviour goes against the teachings of Islam.

“Act within the confines of the law, not going beyond the bounds of morality,” he said.