Malaysia is working closely with international partners to secure the immediate release of 10 Malaysians detained during the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) 2.0 humanitarian mission, according to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
In a Facebook post, Anwar strongly condemned the actions of Israeli forces, alleging that they used violence against the mission while it was in international waters. He described the incident as a serious breach of maritime law and likened it to acts of piracy.
“Malaysia urges all parties to act immediately and ensure no harm comes to any of the activists, including the 10 Malaysians currently detained and out of contact. Their safety must be guaranteed without compromise,” he said.
Anwar, who serves as the principal patron of the Sumud Nusantara mission, also said he is in continuous contact with the Sumud Nusantara Command Centre (SNCC) director-general Sani Araby to obtain the latest developments.
Earlier, the SNCC confirmed that 22 vessels under the GSF 2.0 mission were intercepted and boarded by Israeli forces in international waters while en route to Gaza. Six of those vessels reportedly carried 10 Malaysians.
SNCC identified the Malaysian participants as Zainal Rashid Ahmad aboard Arkham III; Osman Zolkifli and Jihan Alya Nordin on Eros 1; Hazwan Hazim Dermawan, Hanafi Salim, Ahmad Musa Al-Nuwayri Kamaruzaman, and Norhelmi Ab Ghani on Bianca BCN.
Others include Redzal Amzah on Freia, Muhsin Zaidi on Marea, and Shamsir Isa on Esplai II.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Malaysia’s strong diplomatic relations with friendly nations could assist efforts to secure their release. He expressed confidence that ongoing diplomatic engagement would help facilitate both humanitarian efforts and the safe return of the Malaysians involved.
