Agnes Anya, Jakarta – Starbucks Indonesia clarified on Wednesday that the company had no affiliation with any political or ideological groups.
The clarification was made after Anwar Abbas, a leader of the country's second largest Muslim organization Muhammadiyah, called for a boycott against Starbucks, saying that the coffee shop was pro-LGBT after Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz announced the company's support for same-sex marriages.
"PT Sari Coffee would like to clarify that it does not affiliate itself with any political or ideological groups," said Fetty Kwartati, a director at PT MAP Boga Adiperkasa, the parent company of PT Sari Coffee.
"[...] We are grateful and proud to have been a part of local communities in Indonesia for 15 years, always maintaining the deepest respect for and adherence to Indonesia's local laws, culture and beliefs," she continued.
The statement was issued after a drop in MAP Boga Adiperkasa's shares in past few days due to negative sentiment from the boycott plans. The company's shares declined by 5.54 percent on Tuesday to Rp 2,900 (21 US cents). (hol/ika)