5.

0 Leadership Decision Making

McDonalds is not a foreign brand in Malaysia. McDonalds is a well-known chain of

fast food restaurants and is well-liked for over 30 years in Malaysia. With its' trademark 'known
as' I'm lovin' it 'and' Mc Value Meal ', McDonald's will use its customers to re-enjoy the
deliciousness and freshness of its fresh foods at 270 restaurants in Malaysia. Unfortunately,
over the past few years during a conflict in Palestine such as the Israel military attack on Gaza,
a boycott will be carried out on McDonalds by a handful of Malaysians. McDonald's is likewise
synonymous with the Israel regime every time the conflicts arise. It is still clear for us when
McDonald's Malaysia is compared to certain individuals who boycott McDonald's because it
is said to have a relationship with Israel. The incident in August 2014 should not happen again.
Violent protests have been carried out at two McDonald's branches in Kerteh and Dungun,
resulting in about 80% loss in both restaurants (Journalist Sinar Harian,2014).

The first decision making that McDonald did was they lodged a police report against
more than 20 individuals and organizations for defaming the chain of fast food restaurants that
allegedly channelled funds to Israel. The owner of Gerbang Alaf Restaurants Sdn Bhd Azmir
Jaafar, the police report was lodged at the Dang Wangi Police Station. According to him, his
department submitted an investigation to the police and Malaysian Communications and
Multimedia Commission (MCMC) before further action including summons. They also set up
an external advisory advisor to assist them in safeguarding the interests and welfare of 12,000
employees in 265 McDonald's branches in Malaysia. One of the biggest lies and defamation is
that McDonald's United States contribution to the Jewish United Fund (JUF) through a program
of gifted welfare is totally untrue. Azmir said the JUF is just one of the many bodies in the US
who are entitled to donation under the grant program but it does not apply in Malaysia. This is
because the JUF operates for welfare purposes under the relevant United States law line that is
Section 501 (c) (3) of the United States Taxation Law. At McDonald's Malaysia, they at
Gerbang Alaf Restaurants Sdn Bhd are locally owned companies run by individual Muslims as
the largest shareholders who do not contribute, support or engage in any political or religious
conflicts in any country. In fact, he said, in Malaysia, they were not involved with the program
but instead paid only royalties to McDonald's Corporation as the company did (Hamid, 2017).
They regard such allegations as defamation and will not hesitate to take action against any
irresponsible side, which continues to spread the lies through social media platforms and other
channels.
 In addition, facing a boycott campaign for allegedly supporting Israel, McDonald's
Malaysia took the initiative to meet the Mufti Wilayah Persekutuan, Datuk Dr. Zulkifli
Mohamad al-Bakri to explain their business operations is the second decision making that
McDonald did. In this meeting, several topics have been discussed between McDonald's
representatives and Dr. Zulkifli including the McDonald's Malaysia ownership structure,
welfare contributions to the Malaysian community, McDonald's ownership status of the United
States, royalty to McDonald's United States, McDonald's involvement in world conflicts and
the "Matching Gifts" program. According to the opinion of the Mufti Wilayah Persekutuan, the
mandatory call to boycott is only valid if it is ruled by the government. Plus, he said that the
spread of lies about McDonald's Malaysia as well as the improper appeal to boycott against
their restaurant would only cause more harm than benefits. Then, Dr Zulkifli has applauded the
steps of McDonald's Malaysia which was involved in assisting for economic development of
diverse societies of Malaysians and Muslims in particular (Anonymous, 2017).

Furthermore, the third leadership decision making that McDonald did is McDonald
Malaysia has issued a statement in the media that they have absolutely no support for Israel
and to provide Israel with funds. McDonald's Malaysia in a statement on the official website
and Facebook page denied claims of the fast food restaurant to the Jewish United Fund (JUF)
via Matching Gift. They have also stated that they do not support or are involved in any political
or religious conflicts in any country. According to Azmir, they want to emphasize that
McDonald's does not distribute any sales, profits or franchises from their restaurant to support
any political or conflicting cause in any part of the world. It does not necessarily have any
permission in any online allegations that suggest otherwise. Their core values are to determine
that they are doing their business ethically and according to the highest standards (Manjur,
2014). This is the value they stand with confidence. In Malaysia, they are proud to be part of
the local community by providing local franchisees and careers for 12,000 Malaysians, by
serving their customers with enthusiasm and respect, and actively supporting meaningful
reasons for improving life in need.
REFERENCES
Anonymous. (2017). Isu Boikot: McDonald’s Malaysia Jumpa, Beri Penjelasan Kepada
Mufti Wilayah. Retrieved from Perak Today: https://peraktoday.com.my/2017/12/isu-
boikot-mcdonalds-malaysia-jumpa-beri-penjelasan-kepada-mufti-wilayah/
Hamid, R. A. (2017). Isu sokong Israel, McDonald's Malaysia bertindak. Retrieved from
Mymetro: https://www.hmetro.com.my/mutakhir/2017/12/293623/isu-sokong-israel-
mcdonalds-malaysia-bertindak
Harian, W. S. (2014). Boikot: Pendapatan merosot 80 peratus. Retrieved from Sinar Harian:
http://www.sinarharian.com.my/mobile/edisi/terengganu/boikot-pendapatan-merosot-
80-peratus-1.305514
Manjur, R. (2014). McDonald's diboikot di Malaysia atas dakwaan sokongan Israel.
Retrieved from Marketing Interactive: http://www.marketing-
interactive.com/mcdonalds-malaysia-caught-middle-online-prank/
Real victim is Malaysian, says ad pleading against boycott. (2014). Retrieved from Malaysia
Mail Online: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/real-victims-are-
malaysians-says-mcdonalds-ad-pleading-against-local-boycot