When elite and masses don’t see eye to eye on Israel boycott

 

Azmi Abdul Hamid of the Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organisations says the elites have differing views from the general public. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: The head of the Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organisations (Mapim) has lamented the disconnect between Malaysia’s elites and the masses about supporting the boycott campaign against Israeli-linked companies.

Council president Azmi Abdul Hamid said he observed that the elites from various parts of society seem to hold different perspectives on the campaign, compared to the general public.

“The elites are disconnected from the masses, religious elites are detached from the grassroots, and the grassroots feel isolated,” he said at a forum to discuss the boycott against Israeli-linked companies.

He said the campaign needs the involvement of everyone “to instil a sense of shared struggle”.

Azmi said: “There is still a group of religious scholars who are unclear about this campaign, and some muftis have not stated their stance on the matter.

“There must be a strong ‘response’ from religious scholars, professionals, grassroots leaders, and students to create national consciousness (on the campaign).”

He called for a multilevel movement to create national awareness and ensure the campaign’s long-term success.

Boycott campaigns sparked by the Israel-Palestine conflict have hit western brands in Malaysia such as Starbucks and McDonald’s.

A married couple were arrested on suspicion of pasting Israel flags at a fast-food restaurant in Kajang yesterday. Selangor police said seven cases of such restaurants being defaced were reported from May 28-30.

On March 4, Berjaya Corp Bhd founder Vincent Tan called on the public to stop boycotting Starbucks Malaysia, saying it only hurts the Malaysians running the company.

The business tycoon said that up to 85% of Starbucks Malaysia’s employees are Muslims and that there are no foreigners working in the company’s head office.

Recently, civil society organisations have urged the government to reconsider its decision to allow a company with alleged links to Israel to own shares in Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd. - FMT