Amidst growing support for Palestinians and a boycott movement following the Israeli Occupation aggression against Gaza, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) has announced the temporary closure of 108 of its 600 branches in Malaysia.

The decision to suspend operations in Malaysia comes as a response to a week-long decline in customer numbers, according to reports from The Edge Malaysia newspaper. The boycott, in solidarity with Palestinians, has significantly impacted KFC's business in the country.

QSR Brands, which manages the KFC franchise in Malaysia, issued a statement emphasizing the company's commitment to positively contribute to the Malaysian community, maintain brand loyalty for KFC, and protect its employees. Affected employees were offered opportunities to move to busier locations as part of the company's efforts to re-optimize its operations.

"As a company with a 50-year history of serving Malaysians, our focus remains on delivering quality products and services while contributing positively to the Malaysian economy by ensuring job security for our 18,000 team members, of which approximately 85% are Muslims," the statement said.

These closures, visible on Google Maps, were reportedly proactive measures taken in response to challenging economic conditions. QSR Brands said it aims to focus on the busiest KFC stores to maintain efficiency and profitability.

Kentucky Fried Chicken, an iconic American fast-food chain, has been operating in Malaysia for decades, serving millions of customers across the country. However, recent events and the subsequent boycott have forced the company to adapt to changing circumstances.

The closure of over a hundred outlets underscores the impact of international events on businesses worldwide. In Malaysia, the solidarity with Palestinians has translated into tangible effects on one of the country's most popular fast-food chains.