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Consumers starting to assert rights to send a message, say groups

Stadium Nasional Bukit Jalil in Kuala Lumpur will host the Pesta Bola Merdeka competition.

Ticket sales for the Pestabola Merdeka, which kicks off on Sept 4, are poor due to a boycott by fans who are unhappy with several issues within the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM).

FAM vice-president Datuk Posa Majais, who chairs FAM’s ticket and stadium committee, reportedly said, fewer than 1,000 tickets have been sold for the competition, which will feature Malaysia, the Philippines, Lebanon, and defending champions Tajikistan.

This is in stark contrast to last year’s event, which saw some 30,000 fans flock to the stadium for the matches.

This is not the first event or company affected by boycotts, as Malaysians have previously blacklisted companies such as Starbucks, McDonald’s, and Nestlè, for various reasons.

The operator of Starbucks Malaysia, Berjaya Food Bhd, reported a net loss of RM91.5 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024 (FY24), compared to a net profit of RM103.4 million the previous year. The losses were attributed to consumer boycotts and a one-time loss from the disposal of Jollibean Foods Pte Ltd. The company’s revenue also fell by 34.56 per cent, dropping from RM1.1 billion to RM730.3 million.

With the rise in consumer-driven boycotts, Malaysians are increasingly willing to assert their influence and demand accountability. This shift indicates that consumers are more vocal about their grievances and are using their purchasing power to make a statement.

Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) deputy president Datuk Paul Selvaraj noted that social media and a growing awareness of consumer rights are key reasons why Malaysians join boycotts.

“Many messages urging people to boycott products or brands are widely shared on social media platforms,” said Selvaraj.

“These messages can reach large numbers of people very quickly. Almost everyone is on social media, so a boycott message can reach many households quickly.

“Additionally, many consumers are becoming more aware of their rights. They realise they can make a difference with their wallets.”

However, Selvaraj warned that consumers must carefully analyse the reasons behind boycotts, as sometimes the wrong company can be affected.

“This is the era of information. Consumers can access information with the click of a button, so please be careful when making your decision to boycott,” he advised.

“There are many reasons for consumers to boycott a product or brand. Sometimes, it can be as simple as one company charging more than a competitor.

“In that sense, Malaysian consumers have become wiser with their spending. But in other cases, the reasons could be political or religious. That’s when they need to make sensible choices and read up on the issues.”

He added that consumers have become smarter.

Consumers Association of Penang’s senior education officer, N.V. Subbarow, agreed with Selvaraj that consumers were more aware of their rights.

“In my view, a boycott should only happen when it concerns necessities like rice, chicken, eggs, sugar, and vegetables,” said Subbarow.

“I have seen many traders named and shamed for price gouging, as consumers no longer stay silent if they feel they have been cheated.

“The boycott of certain brands since the Oct 7 attacks in Gaza also shows that consumers understand they can express their dissatisfaction with companies they believe do not share their values.”

Like Selvaraj, he emphasised that Malaysians must be more mindful of why they boycott certain brands.

“If consumers don’t like something, they won’t buy it. And that is what is happening now,” he said.

“Consumers know they have the power to make a difference.”