PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has denounced the detention of Malaysian volunteers by Israeli forces during the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) humanitarian mission to Gaza, calling the move “unjustified” and a violation of basic human values.
In a statement published on Facebook, Anwar confirmed that the government had activated diplomatic channels to secure the release of all detainees. He said he had spoken with Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Abdulrahman Al Thani and Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, with a call to Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi scheduled later in the day.
“Together with the Foreign Minister, we have also reached out to other counterparts, including United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio, urging them to intervene to secure the release of all those detained by the Israeli regime,” said Anwar.
The Prime Minister stressed that the flotilla participants were engaged in a peaceful humanitarian mission to deliver food and medical supplies to the people of Gaza, including women and children.
“If such a basic act of compassion cannot be carried out, then our humanity is worth nothing,” he said, adding prayers for the swift end to Israeli oppression and for humanitarian aid to reach Gaza without obstruction.
Three additional Malaysians — Muhammad Hareez Adzrami (known as Haroqs), Muhd Haikal Luqman Zulkefli and Taufiq Mohd Razif — were confirmed detained on Wednesday afternoon while aboard the vessel Free Willy.
The latest detentions bring the total number of Malaysians in Israeli custody to 15.
Earlier, 12 Malaysian volunteers were intercepted in international waters near Gaza, including some public figures.
Five others, including Islamic preacher PU Rahmat and influencer Ardell Aryana, remain uncontactable after their vessels lost communication with the Sumud Nusantara Command Centre (SNCC).
In a separate development, another Malaysian vessel carrying volunteers Zainal Rashid Ahmad (ZRA) and Muhammad Abdullah (Ustaz Mad Kechik) was surrounded by Israeli naval units. According to ZRA, the crew were ordered to discard their phones as the vessel was encircled.
“We’ve been surrounded by four boats — one main ship and three smaller crafts. This might be our final moment. I believe the vessel is already near Gaza,” he said, in a live transmission from the vessel’s onboard CCTV.
The GSF mission, comprising over 500 participants from 44 countries, aims to break the blockade on Gaza and deliver much-needed aid. International participants include Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, American actress Susan Sarandon, and South African politician Mandla Mandela, grandson of Nelson Mandela. - October 2, 2025
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