Malaysians boycott Coca-Cola, Starbucks in Middle East protest

Groups in Malaysia launched a boycott on Sunday of US drinks Coca-Cola and Starbucks coffee to protest Israel's ongoing military offensive in Lebanon and Gaza.
Malaysians for Peace, the Muslim Consumers Association of Malaysia (PPIM) and the Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Owners Association said they would encourage thousands of members to join the boycott of the American products.
The United States has been strongly condemned by Arab states and some European nations for failing to press stronger on ally Israel to end its bloody campaign in Lebanon.
Jamarulkhan Kadir, president of the restaurant owners association, said the group had 4,000 members who would be advised to stop serving Coca-Cola in their restaurants or serve it as a last option.
"We think only by inflicting something on (US) economic activities, we could make them realise what they're doing is wrong," he told AFP.
Jamarulkhan said a similar three-month boycott against the soft drink to protest the 2003 US invasion of Iraq had made a "dent" in sales.
"We have nothing against the American people, we love American people. We are only protesting the foreign policies which have a double standard," he said.
Jamarulkhan said his group would also contact sister organisations in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan to try to turn the campaign global.
"If we can make a small impact, it's our victory," he said.
PPIM project director Noor Nirwandy Mat Noor Din said the boycott was organised because of the failure of the international community, including the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC), to resolve the crisis.
"I don't see any roles for the OIC or any bodies in the world that can touch the immunity gained indirectly by Israel from the Americans or their allies," Noor Nirwandy told AFP.
"You don't have to go to Lebanon and use an AK-47 or a grenade. You don't have to be violent. You can just do this with your family and friends and relatives," he said of the boycott.
Coca-Cola is widely available in Malaysia, while Starbucks coffee outlets are popular in a number of the country's cities and towns.