Indonesian Men’s Care Brand Faces Boycott Calls Following Controversial Social Media Post

A popular Indonesian men's care brand is facing widespread backlash after a social media post went viral for seemingly mocking several countries, including Malaysia.

In a post that has since been deleted, the brand shared a photo of a caution sign in Indonesian that read, "Hati-hati beda level" ("Beware of different levels"). Above the sign was an emoji of Indonesia's flag, while below it were the flags of several Asian countries, including Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, the Philippines, Laos, Myanmar, and Timor-Leste, as well as Australia.

The post also included the caption: "Tutor cara masuk Eropa dong warga" ("Tutorial on how to enter Europe, folks").

Image Credit: Threads

Malaysians were not having it

Although the post was widely believed to be a jab at several Asian countries following their defeat at the FIFA ASEAN Cup, many social media users criticised the brand, describing the post as unprofessional and inappropriate for a major company.

Many Malaysians have also called for a boycott of the brand's products, with some accusing the company of disrespecting its regional neighbours.

Image Credit: Threads

Brand issues public apology

The post has reportedly been removed, and the brand has since issued a statement addressing the controversy.

"At Kahf, respect is at the heart of our values, and we recently fell short. A post published on our account was unacceptable. It did not reflect our values or the respect we stand for as a brand."

The company went on to sincerely apologise for the disappointment caused, acknowledging that rebuilding trust would take more than just words. It added that it is committed to earning back the public's trust through its actions moving forward.

Featured Image Credit: Kahf, Threads