RM1 Billion Maybank-Microsoft Deal Sparks Cross-Party Outrage Over Alleged Israel Ties

KUALA LUMPUR – A wave of criticism from across Malaysia’s political and civil society spectrum has erupted over Malayan Banking Bhd’s (Maybank) newly announced RM1 billion, five-year digital partnership with Microsoft, with opponents citing the tech giant’s alleged complicity in Israel’s “genocide” of Palestinians in Gaza.

The PKR International Bureau, in a strongly worded statement on Aug 6, condemned the deal as “not only unethical, but also tainting Maybank’s reputation as a Malaysian financial institution.”

“Microsoft has been identified as supplying technology to the Israeli regime, including AI systems used in military operations, surveillance, and oppression against Palestinians,” the bureau said, urging Maybank to immediately suspend the partnership and explain whether a human rights risk assessment was conducted before signing.

The bureau also demanded that Maybank, as a national institution, commit to “ethics, humanity, and universal justice” in line with the majority of Malaysians who reject any form of oppression against Palestinians.

Their statement was swiftly backed by 26 pro-Palestine NGOs, including Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) Malaysia, Mercy Malaysia, Abim, MyCare, Al-Quds Foundation Malaysia, and Kesatuan Ulama Muslimin Sedunia.

“We appreciate PKR International Bureau’s uncompromising stance despite being part of the governing coalition,” the NGOs said in a joint statement, calling on the government to “do the right thing” by intervening to terminate the venture.

Maybank-Microsoft Deal

The NGOs noted that Microsoft was named in a June 30 report by the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Palestine as one of several companies “profiting from genocide,” alongside Caterpillar, Amazon Web Services, Google, and BlackRock – all of which, they said, have existing links or contracts with the Malaysian government.

BDS Malaysia has previously urged the government to heed the UN report, suspend or prevent trade and investment with such companies, and impose sanctions, including asset freezes, on those implicated.

On Aug 5, Bernama reported Maybank’s announcement that the partnership would see Microsoft Azure adopted as one of its main cloud platforms for strategic systems, functions, and data workloads, while also exploring a collaboration centre for cloud and AI innovation.

The backlash extended beyond PKR and NGOs, with Selangor PAS Youth threatening to launch a public boycott campaign if Maybank failed to reverse course.

“This decision sends the wrong signal that business profit takes precedence over humanity and solidarity with Palestine,” said Selangor PAS Youth chief Mohamed Sukri Omar.

Humanitarian values

“Maybank is the country’s largest financial institution and should set an example in upholding humanitarian values, not abandon them. It must prove that Microsoft is free from any involvement in human rights abuses in Palestine before proceeding.”

Sukri urged Maybank to adopt a clear action plan ensuring all strategic partners and technology providers meet recognised international human rights and corporate social responsibility standards, and to issue a public statement declaring opposition to Israel’s atrocities.

He also called on the government and Bank Negara Malaysia to issue guidelines preventing local financial institutions from doing business with companies linked to crimes against humanity.

“Maybank is not just a business entity, but a symbol of national trust and pride. Decisions must reflect the aspirations of Malaysians, who have always firmly supported the Palestinian cause,” Sukri said.

---

Business News