Here's What New US Ambassador Believes About Malaysians Boycotting Local US-Linked Chains

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He addressed the issue of Malaysians boycotting local US-linked products and staging protests outside the US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur to express their solidarity with Palestinians amidst Israel's military campaign in Gaza.

Kagan said the US supports the right of Malaysians to engage in peaceful protests at its embassy as he understands the practical reality of Malaysians' stance on Israel's actions.

"We strongly support the right to peaceful protest and our preference would be that they do not see us as the way to express dissatisfaction with Israel because we are not Israel. But we also understand that that's the reality we are operating in," FMT quoted him as telling reporters during the media roundtable session.

In December last year and in January this year, Malaysians staged several pro-Palestine protests near the US embassy after the US vetoed multiple efforts by the United Nations to push for a ceasefire in Gaza.

He also said that while Malaysians have every right to do so, the boycotts were not affecting the US or Israel directly, as the brands being targeted are owned by Malaysians and Saudis.

"The people who are suffering as a result are the Malaysian employees. There may be some symbolic satisfaction in doing it [boycotting], but ultimately, the people that it really hurts aren't Israelis and it's not really the US. So, in that sense, it's unfortunate," the new US ambassador explained.

While Kagan did not name any brands, he is believed to be referring to Starbucks and McDonald's, two major US-linked brands that have been subjected to ongoing boycotts by Malaysians.

Starbucks is owned by Berjaya Group, while McDonald's franchises in Malaysia and Singapore are owned by Reza Food Services, a unit of Saudi conglomerate Reza Investment Company.