Subscribe to our FREE Newsletter, or Telegram and WhatsApp channels for the latest stories and updates.
Last week, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) and coffee chain Starbucks Malaysia launched a strategic cooperation in conjunction with the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign.
The campaign, themed “Surreal Experiences”, introduced limited edition products, special drinks and locally inspired dishes to celebrate the country’s cultural diversity.
However, many Malaysians took to social media to criticise the collaboration, calling it insensitive and tone deaf. This is due to Starbucks being an American brand and its perceived support for Israel.
Why do we need a strategic partnership with Starbucks to promote Visit Malaysia 2026?? Whose idea was this?
— Shahnon Salleh (@shahnonsalleh) October 2, 2025
So tone-deaf. Unbelievable.
(Pic: The Sun) pic.twitter.com/o0MhmdSatQ
Pro-Palestine supporters, in Malaysia and around the world, have widely boycotted Starbucks as one way to oppose Israel’s genocide on Palestinian people in Gaza.
The boycott has also intensified after Israeli forces intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla, a fleet of ships carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, that had Malaysian volunteers aboard.
READ MORE: Global Sumud Flotilla: Free Willy Intercepted By Israel, Volunteers To Be Deported To Europe
“In US and Canada, many are boycotting Starbucks. Last week, Starbucks announced that they are shutting down outlets over there. In Malaysia, during a time the whole world is rising on the Global Sumud Flotilla issue, Tourism Malaysia announces a collaboration with Starbucks. No sensitivity at all,” one user said on Twitter.
Di US & Canada, makin ramai yg boikot Starbucks. Last week, Starbucks umumkan akan tutup beberapa cawangan di sana.
— Piang Shankly (@PiangShankly) October 3, 2025
Di Malaysia, sewaktu 1 dunia bangkit dgn isu GSF, Genocide masih terus berlaku, Tourism Malaysia umumkan kerja sama dengan Starbucks. Langsung tiada sensitiviti. pic.twitter.com/34SwJtCobB
Some also commented on the special edition products made in the collaboration between MOTAC and Starbucks, calling the design lazy and ugly.
Photos of the products were shared online, such as Starbucks tumblers with Tourism Malaysia’s logos and its sun bear mascots Wira and Manja stamped on them, and one with a batik-inspired design.
Tourism Malaysia x Starbucks… tone-deaf collab with lazy, ugly design. Not promoting the country, just speeding up the collapse… ewwwwwwwwww https://t.co/guochq895M pic.twitter.com/mfp8Lr3xFz
— ALAN KENA SABAR (@IniAlalalannn) October 3, 2025
Tourism Malaysia under fire for serving alcohol at official event
Aside from the Starbucks partnership, the national tourism agency also landed in hot water in the same week over alcohol that was served at what appeared to be an official event.
Pictures of a gala dinner organised by MOTAC in conjunction with the Global Travel Meet 2025 went viral on social media as guests are seen holding glasses filled with what appears to be beer.
“Can alcohol be served in an event organised by the government or it agencies? The official celebration circular clearly states that alcoholic beverages are not permitted,” an individual pointed out on Twitter.
Boleh kah menghidang arak dalam majlis anjuran Kementerian ataupun agensi dibawahnya?
— SokanMalaya
Pekeliling keraian rasmi ini jelas menyatakan bahawa ‘hidangan minuman keras adalah tidak dibenarkan’. pic.twitter.com/RPfWOFMCU2(@SokanMalaya07) October 4, 2025
In response to Masjid Tanah member of parliament Mas Ermieyati Samsudin’s claim related to alcohol being served at the gala dinner linked to MOTAC, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Tiong King Sing said the event was an initiative by the private industry sector.
READ MORE: Tiong Denies, Khairy Disputes: Tourism Ministry Slammed Over “Wine and Beer” At Gala Dinner
Share your thoughts with us via TRP’s Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Threads.
