What started as boycott threats has unexpectedly turned into overwhelming support for a Muslim eatery in Johor Bahru.
The restaurant owner, initially targeted for feeding stray dogs, is now enjoying a surge in customers, with her eatery busier than ever.
The viral backlash sparked calls for solidarity online, with netizens rallying behind her kindness.
@salaistar Bukan saja2 bagi anjing makan. Dia pun makhluk allah jugak. Perlukan pembelaan. Just bagi makan je. #salaisalailomaklomakbakobako #salaistar #fyp #foryou #joho #anjing #animallover ♬ original sound – SalaiStar
A Facebook user shared his visit to the restaurant on the page 吃的平台, describing the heartwarming scene of crowds coming in droves to support the owner.
“This Malay lady was boycotted because some considered her ‘unclean’ for feeding stray dogs. As a dog lover, I wanted to show my support. When I arrived, the place was packed with customers,” he wrote.
The owner’s husband shared that customers started pouring in around 11:30am and continued non-stop.
“It felt like a tidal wave of people. Most of the customers were Chinese, something the we had never seen before,” he reportedly said.
According to the netizen, many patrons explained that they had seen Facebook posts and decided to visit to show their support.
Touched by the response, the owner and her family expressed their gratitude.
Running out of food by 2pm
The influx of customers was so overwhelming that the eatery ran out of ingredients by 2pm.
“They had to apologise to latecomers, but customers were understanding, saying, ‘It’s okay, we’ll come back tomorrow.’ By 4:30pm, only smoked beef and smoked lamb fried rice were left on the menu,” he wrote.
Despite the limited options, customers didn’t mind—many just wanted to show their support.
