Sameera Casmod | sameerac@radioislam.co.za
2 May 2024 | 12:06 p.m. SAST
2-minute read

In Malaysia, American fast-food chain KFC has become the latest to close numerous outlets in Muslim-majority areas, as the effects of boycott campaigns begin to filter through. Following the closure of Starbucks and McDonald’s outlets in Malaysia, KFC’s closure reflects mounting pressure on companies with ties to Israel.

Sanusha Naidu, research associate at the Centre for Global Dialogue, told Radio Islam that the global movement, reminiscent of anti-apartheid activism, underscores the power of consumer activism in influencing corporate decisions and shaping international discourse.

As American companies face scrutiny over their ties to Israel, particularly in sectors like tech and defence, the ripple effects of socio-political movements in the global business sphere become increasingly pronounced.

“There’s a global movement as well to stop companies that operate in Israel or have some connection to Israel to not operate in their countries because of the ongoing challenge,” Naidu said. “There’s also a movement being built around companies, American companies, that have interest in Israel or are actually having some kind of economic relationship with Israel. Particularly, I think you’re going to see this in the tech industry, you’re going to see this in the military and defence industry, where there’s this pushback of companies that are not necessarily taking a stance.”

Meanwhile, tech media lines are abuzz following Elon Musk’s unannounced meeting with China’s premier, Lee Chiang, in Beijing. Initially set to visit India, Musk made an about-turn to China after Tesla was excluded from China’s recent electric vehicle (EV) exposition.

With China emerging as a formidable competitor in EV production, Tesla’s exclusion and Musk’s visit underscore the heightened competition.

Naidu said that the focal point of Musk’s discussions with Lee Chiang was his request to partner with Baidu, China’s mobile web mapping service.

“Elon Musk met with Lee Chiang and basically was talking about creating a partnership or some kind of engagement with Baidu,” Naidu explained.

Tesla’s decision to embark on the Baidu collaboration, coupled with its staff reduction plans amid financial concerns and increased competition, signify its efforts to adapt to, and potentially mitigate challenges in, the EV market.

“Going into this kind of arrangement, etc., and talking to state authorities in China, is part of the whole dynamic of how you do business globally and how businesses are affected by geopolitical tensions,” Naidu said.

The focus of the report turned to Toronto, where Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s decision to attend a Sikh rally has reignited Ottawa-Delhi tensions. The rally’s association with the Khalistan movement, the Sikh separatist movement in Canada, coupled with accusations of Trudeau lending support to separatist sentiments, has put further stain on bilateral relations between the countries.

“The decision by Justin Trudeau to attend the rally in Toronto has already caused more tensions… because he addressed that rally personally. So what the Indian government is doing is that they want more kind of assurances that Justin Trudeau, as PM of Canada, will not necessarily give any kind of traction or credence to this movement, to this separatist movement,” Naidu said.

Suspicions of Indian intelligence involvement in a Canadian citizen’s assassination in 2023 contribute to the underlying tensions. As India seeks assurances regarding Trudeau’s stance on the Khalistan movement, Trudeau’s diplomatic balancing act reflects the intricate intersection of domestic politics and international relations, Naidu said.

Listen to the Asia-Pacific Report on Sabaahul Muslim with Moulana Sulaimaan Ravat.