Statement from McDonald’s Malaysia: Protecting the Golden Arches
23 Oct 2021

For the past 36 years, McDonald’s Malaysia has stood strong as a company that embraces ethical business practices while placing people at the centre of everything we do, from our employees to the communities that we operate in. On top of that, we strive to provide the best service and quality food to our beloved customers, who have stayed loyal to us throughout the years, and who have embraced McDonald’s as a brand that has continuously and consistently provided ‘feel good moments’ to them and their loved ones. 

Our customers have come to trust and love the Golden Arches for all that it stands for, and this reputation is something we cherish and seek to protect at all times. 

In recent years, there have been those who have threatened the very core of our company values and stringent procedures by making false and defamatory remarks regarding the brand. These false and defamatory remarks put to question the quality of work that everyone at the company so proudly carries out every single day.

As a brand that stands strong on ethics and which values its people, we took a firm stand and did not hesitate to pursue legal action against parties that explicitly put forth false and defamatory remarks against the company. Below are the details of legal suits that we have initiated in recent years:

 

1) Kuala Lumpur High Court Suit No. WA-23CY-6-02/2018

    Gerbang Alaf Restaurants Sdn Bhd -vs- Mohd Rasyiq bin Mohd Alwi (aka “Ustaz Abu Syafiq”)

On grounds of spreading defamatory statements on social media that McDonald’s Malaysia is not Halal-compliant.

Status: A Consent Judgment was recorded containing terms, which include that he immediately take down the defamatory postings, issue a clarification statement and cease from making similar statements in the future. 

 

2) Kuala Lumpur High Court Suit No. WA-23CY-4-02/2019

    Gerbang Alaf Restaurants Sdn Bhd -vs- Yuseri bin Yusoff 

On grounds of making defamatory accusations through social media that McDonald’s Malaysia had been conducting discriminatory and unfair practices towards its franchisees.

Status: The High Court awarded RM150,000 in damages to McDonald’s Malaysia. Yuseri has been made a bankrupt due to his failure to settle the amount. 

 

3) Selayang Sessions Court Suit No, BD-B53-1-03/2021

    Gerbang Alaf Restaurants Sdn Bhd & 2 Others -vs- Hasrul Azizul bin Hasmi 

On grounds of assaulting McDonald’s restaurant employees, causing property damage and tarnishing the McDonald’s brand image. 

Status: The Sessions Court has entered judgment in favour of McDonald’s Malaysia in the sum of RM581,370. The Court will be assessing the quantum of damages for the pain and suffering caused to our employees.

In the meantime, the Defendant has also been charged in the Selayang Magistrate’s Court for multiple criminal offences under the Penal Code.

 

4) Kuala Lumpur High Court Suit No. WA-23CY-9-02/2021

    Gerbang Alaf Restaurants Sdn Bhd -vs- Wan Nadirah Mansor (aka “Chef Dee Dee”)

On grounds of making false claims on her social media channel that McDonald’s Malaysia does not comply with its Halal certification and that it is unsafe to consume our products, especially the Ayam Goreng McD

Status: Since the filing of the legal suit, Chef Dee Dee has removed the offending statements. A Consent Order was then recorded whereby Chef Dee Dee has inter alia agreed to stop publishing further statements that are defamatory in nature against McDonald's Malaysia and also not to repeat the statements that were removed. The matter is now proceeding for trial.

 

We are sharing this with our valued customers to emphasise the high standards of ethics and integrity in which we hold ourselves accountable. Hence, we will take a firm stand to protect the reputation of our brand and do not take false accusations lightly. We also want our customers to have full confidence in all that we do and what we represent, and we want you to know that we are here to listen.  

We urge the public to reach out to us at McDonald’s Malaysia Customer Service at 13-0013-1300 (Toll- free) if there are any query or clarification needed regarding McDonald’s products and services in Malaysia. 

Thank you.

 

22 October 2021 

Issued by McDonald’s Malaysia