Starbucks Malaysia announces the opening of its fourth Signing Store for the Deaf at Permas City, Johor, following the establishment of the first Signing Store in 2016 in Kuala Lumpur (the first in the world), as well as stores in Penang and Sarawak (the first in Borneo). This event promotes inclusivity and celebrates the talents of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community, fostering community empowerment. The launch was attended by the Society Deaf Johor (SDJO), the Johor Deaf Sports Association, and its athletes.

Starbucks Malaysia has become the only coffee chain in the country with Signing Stores. Starts with one Deaf partner at one of their stores, they now employ over 20 Deaf individuals. Over the past 26 years, Starbucks has been committed to promoting sustainability in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) by enhancing the skills of its talents.

With this opening, Starbucks collaborates with Deaf artists to commission unique artworks that highlight and share their talents and stories. This includes The Colors of Joy by Wong Jia Yaw, a Malaysian Deaf artist, whose artwork symbolizes resilience, growth, and the uniqueness of Deaf culture.

As part of Starbucks Malaysia’s 26th Anniversary, ‘Persons With Disabilities/Orang Kurang Upaya’ (PWD/OKU) cardholders will receive a complimentary grande-sized handcrafted Starbucks beverage at all stores nationwide on 17 December 2024, and all customers will enjoy a 26% discount on all items, with an additional 15% discount for PWD/OKU cardholders from 18 December 2024 onwards.

From 17 to 21 December 2024, the first 40 visitors who sign ‘Starbucks’ in Malaysian sign language (Bahasa Isyarat Malaysia) will be treated to a free Tall Americano or Freshly Brewed Coffee. A ‘Buy One Free One’ deal on beverages will be available daily from 12 PM to 3 PM, and customers who spend a minimum of RM50 in a single receipt will receive a FREE coaster, while stocks last. All promotions are exclusively available at the Starbucks Signing Store Permas City, subject to terms and conditions.

There is a Malaysian Sign Language Workshop open to the public on Friday and Saturday (20 and 21 December 2024) to promote, connect, learn, and appreciate the culture and community. Click here to join the workshop.