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OldTown White Coffee Malaysia warns franchisee over alleged racist hiring ad

This article is more than 12 months old

Oldtown White Coffee has officially given a warning letter to the franchisee who put up a reportedly racist employment notice.

It said higher management had not approved the ad.

Kopitiam Asia Pacific F&B division’s executive director and chief operating officer Clarence Leon D’Silva called the contents unacceptable and offensive. He apologised on behalf of the franchisee.

“The directors of the franchise have been contacted to rectify the matter and they have told me that the advertisement was never meant to discriminate anyone.

“However, due to their own admitted negligence, some customers and supporters of Oldtown White Coffee have been misguided to infer that the company was being disrespectful,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.

No ill intention

“Under our franchise agreement, we have the right to terminate the franchisee without notice. However, in this situation, as they are still new and had no ill intention, we have issued them a warning letter which will serve as a permanent non-compliance in their record."

He emphasised that the organisation values everyone equally.

The outlet owner was ordered to remove the advertisement.

The statement came after online netizens expressed anger over an employment ad that circulated on social media on Sept 20.

Besides announcing the opening of the new branch in Johor Bahru, it stated that the outlet was looking for 12 wait staff, six cooks and four supervisors. Priority would be given to Malay and Chinese applicants.

Mr D’Silva said: “We will also continue to educate our current and new franchisee on the need to be sensitive with the choice of words in all form of communication. (We) will do whatever (is) necessary to ensure that such incidents do not recur."

Related report: OldTown White Coffee in M'sia probing alleged racist hiring notice

Source: The Star

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