Starbucks Malaysia sacks barista after viral video insulting tourists
Starbucks Malaysia has dismissed a barista at KLIA 2 after a viral video showed her insulting foreign tourists. The company apologised publicly, saying respect is “non-negotiable” and pledging stricter staff training.
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – A Starbucks barista at Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (KLIA 2) has been dismissed after being caught on video insulting foreign tourists.
The incident unfolded when two visitors struggled to place an order, using an AI translation app while pointing to a promotional menu. They were informed that the drinks would not be available until 7 October.
During the exchange, the barista was overheard muttering “bodoh” — Malay for “stupid” — under her breath. The remark was captured in a TikTok video posted by user @eddie.lee575. Although the original post was later removed, the clip continued to circulate widely online.
Public backlash and swift action
The video quickly went viral, triggering strong criticism from social media users. Starbucks Malaysia responded on 22 September, confirming that the barista had been dismissed after an internal review conducted the day before.
On its official platforms, the company posted a statement captioned: “At Starbucks, respect is non-negotiable.” It apologised to the affected customers and the general public, stating the employee’s behaviour did not reflect Starbucks’ values.
Starbucks Malaysia added that it is reinforcing training for its staff with a focus on cultural awareness, respectful communication, and service standards. It pledged to implement further safeguards to prevent similar incidents in the future.
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