Grab Faces Backlash and Boycott Calls in Malaysia Over Allegations of Support for Israel

In November 2023, Grab, the prominent ride-hailing and food delivery service, has come under renewed scrutiny in Malaysia following Chloe Tong's sharing of her experiences during a trip to Israel on Instagram. As a result, allegations arose claiming that Grab supported Israel, leading to calls for a boycott of the company. However, the extent of the boycott's reach and the number of Malaysians who have uninstalled the Grab app in response remain unclear.

Grab Backlash

Responding to the controversies, Grab issued a statement specifically addressing Chloe Tong's Instagram story. Grab shared a screenshot, vehemently denying allegations of bias and expressing their commitment to impartiality and neutrality. In addition, Grab implemented measures to manage their social media platforms by disabling comments on their Instagram statement and limiting replies on Facebook and Twitter. However, it's worth noting that disabling Quote Tweets on Twitter is not possible, resulting in over 2000 Quote Tweets expressing support for the boycott and urging others to uninstall the Grab app.

Grab responded further by releasing another statement, emphasizing their commitment to humanity and expressing hope for peace and a ceasefire. The boycott of Grab is part of a larger movement in Malaysia that extends beyond the company itself. Malaysians are mobilizing to support the Palestinian cause by boycotting businesses and products linked to Israel. This movement has garnered praise from the Palestinian ambassador to Malaysia. Notably, other companies like Burger King and McDonald's have also faced boycott calls due to their donations of free meals to Israeli soldiers.

Foreign Brands

Burger King faced boycott calls after the company posted photos of their donations during the ongoing conflict with Hamas. Similarly, McDonald's Israel franchise encountered backlash for their plans to provide free meals to soldiers. In response, some McDonald's branches witnessed protests, with activists chanting slogans in support of Palestine and even releasing mice into the restaurants. The boycott calls against Grab and other companies gained substantial momentum on social media platforms, with users urging one another to boycott companies perceived to support Israel or its actions in the Middle East. This movement highlights the power of social media in mobilizing and coordinating boycott efforts, amplifying the voices of those participating.

June 2023 saw another incident involving Grab that led to boycott calls and controversy in Malaysia. The incident stemmed from the temporary suspension of a GrabFood delivery rider's account following an altercation with two Singaporeans at a petrol station in Johor. While Grab conducted investigations, reinstated suspended accounts, and released statements addressing the controversies, the exact scale of the boycott and the number of users who uninstalled the app remains uncertain.

Boycott calls

The recent controversies surrounding Grab and the subsequent boycott calls have presented a challenging situation for the company in Malaysia. The broader boycott movement against companies associated with Israel has gained momentum, with not only Grab but also Burger King and McDonald's facing significant backlash. Social media has played a crucial role in mobilizing and spreading the boycott calls, effectively amplifying the voices of those participating in the movement.

As Grab navigates through this difficult period, the developments surrounding the boycott and the company's response will undoubtedly be closely monitored. The impact of online activism and the power of social media in shaping public opinion highlights the need for companies to be resilient and proactive in managing controversies, both online and offline.

Grab's recent controversies and the subsequent boycott calls in Malaysia have created a complex and challenging situation for the company. The allegations of supporting Israel, the controversies surrounding an altercation, and the broader movement to support the Palestinian cause through boycotting businesses have all contributed to the calls for a boycott. The utilization of social media platforms has played a significant role in mobilizing and spreading these boycott efforts. As the situation continues to unfold, Grab will need to navigate carefully to mitigate the impact of the boycott while addressing the concerns raised by its users.