REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- CEO Starbucks, Howard Mark Schultz, announced the company support and campaign equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) and same sex marriage. It made some parties in Indonesia called a boycott for Starbucks’ products as it has different ideology to Indonesia.
A Researcher on Islamic Economy from School of Islamic Economics (STEI SEBI) Aziz Setiawan said boycotting a brand or trade group might be conducted when it has different ethics to the nation and state. The brand and trade group might be considered to dishonor the local wisdom.
Aziz said LGBT’s principles hold by Starbucks’ CEO was different to Indonesian Law on Marriage. “I think it has violated (local) ethics, values and culture. It was reasonable for the society to respond it by boycott,” said him to Republika.co.id on Friday (June 30).
Aziz said consumers had a right to get the goods and products which gave personal and social benefit to them. He said Indonesian consumers might be smarter in consuming a product.
"Moreover, for Muslims, the social impact should be a concern. The value of blessing is important,” he said.
Previously, Howard was reported to conduct a meeting with Starbucks Schultz shareholders. He let them who disagree with same sex marriage to resign from Starbucks. The Indonesian Starbucks network ensured to support the principle held by its management.
The Central Office of Starbucks in US also announced its support to LGBT. Marketing Communication and CSR Manager PT Sari Coffee Indonesia as Indonesian Starbucks license holder said her company respected diversity and equality and committed to support the Starbucks policies.