ALOR SETAR: Following a boycott campaign against McDonald’s over the Israel-Palestine conflict, the fast-food chain records sharp decline in business and part-time staff are the first casualties.

A check with McDonald’s outlets at Alor Mengkudu, City Plaza and Jalan Sultanah in Alor Setar showed that the outlets were almost empty.

About 20 part-time staff from the Alor Mengkudu outlet have been told to stop work until further notice.

A staff member at the Jalan Sultanah outlet said daily sales plunged by 50% since the boycott campaign started last month.

The outlet is located at a Muslim-majority area, and a secondary school is located opposite the outlet.

Only non-Muslims frequented the outlet while Muslims stayed away, she said.

The boycott has led to part-timers losing their jobs, she added.

Meanwhile in Kuantan, the McDonald’s outlet in Teluk Cempedak was deserted during the weekends, including its drive-thru.

To cope with the sharp decline in business, the outlet has revised its business hours from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. instead of opening 24 hours.