In a recent development in Malaysia, the ongoing boycott movements have expanded their focus to include ZUS Coffee.

The sustained boycotts targeting international brands like McDonald’s, Starbucks, and Nestlé are impacting the livelihoods of employees and delivery personnel.

The controversy surrounding the homegrown coffee chain emerged due to concerns about the origins of its name and logo.

A Facebook page initiated the call for a boycott, citing the perceived similarity between "ZUS" and "Zeus" in pronunciation and the depiction of an old man in the logo, reminiscent of Zeus.

However, a significant number of local netizens are rallying in support of ZUS Coffee, emphasizing its status as a homegrown Malaysian brand.

Supporters expressed their backing for ZUS, highlighting the importance of supporting local businesses and questioning the rationale behind the boycott, especially considering ZUS's possession of a Halal certification.

Amidst the ongoing speculation, a viral Reddit post has provided insight into the logo's origin. The post reveals that 'ZUS' is a combination of 'ZEAL' and 'US,' reflecting the founders' enthusiasm and ambition. Contrary to the Zeus interpretation, the logo draws inspiration from the tale of Kaldi, the legendary goat herder who discovered coffee.

As discussions appeared to be reaching a conclusion, a thought-provoking comment from a Malaysian netizen added a new perspective. The netizen pointed out the inconsistency in the public's reaction to the ZUS controversy compared to the acceptance of other cultural symbols, such as Apollo, another figure from Greek and Roman mythology.

The comment highlighted the consumption of cultural references like Apollo and questioned the selective outrage surrounding the ZUS controversy while overlooking other mythological references embedded in daily lives, such as the characters in Marvel's Thor, rooted in Norse mythology.