HALF of the Malaysian volunteers detained by Israeli authorities following the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) were tried without legal representation, Malaysia’s Foreign Minister, Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, said today.
Mohamad revealed that lawyers from ADALAH — the Legal Centre for Arab Minority Rights in Israel — had been on standby to represent Malaysian detainees, but were denied access during initial proceedings. He condemned the action and expressed hope that the remaining volunteers would face court only in the presence of legal counsel after the Yom Kippur holiday.
“Israel is currently observing its religious holiday,” he said during a press conference at the Sumud Nusantara Control Centre (SNCC) in Sepang.
Mohamad added that prior to the flotilla’s departure, Malaysian participants had been instructed to sign deportation letters to expedite their release if detained.
“The government is monitoring their condition, although communication has been cut off at present,” he said. “This is why Malaysian participants were thoroughly briefed — to avoid any provocation that could worsen the situation.”
Datuk Sani Araby Abdul Alim, Director-General and spokesperson for SNCC, stated that lawyers had only managed to meet Malaysian detainees once, before being barred from holding a second session.
“We have been informed that several Malaysians have been denied legal access in the past 24 hours,” he said.
According to SNCC, 462 GSF participants are currently in Israeli custody, with only four released so far. This leaves 458 still detained.
Mohamad confirmed that Malaysia is fully prepared to facilitate the return of 23 detained citizens. Diplomatic missions in Jordan, Türkiye, Egypt, Algeria and other Middle Eastern countries are on standby.
“We are ready in Türkiye, Cairo, Istanbul, and Algeria — all our missions are on alert to provide support and assistance to Malaysians,” Mohamad said. “Their exit route may be through Jordan, Istanbul, Cyprus, or another point — depending on what the Israeli regime decides.”
He added that the return of the Malaysian volunteers will also depend on negotiations involving Malaysia’s diplomatic allies. ASEAN nations with embassies in Israel have also been involved in efforts to secure their release.
Mohamad further confirmed that he had contacted US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau to assist in facilitating the release of the detained Malaysians.
Malaysia supports Hamas' conditional acceptance of US peace proposal
In a separate development, Mohamad welcomed Hamas’ conditional acceptance of a 20-point peace proposal put forward by former US President Donald Trump, describing it as a potential first step towards lasting peace in Palestine.
“Alhamdulillah, we are grateful that Hamas has accepted (the plan) even if conditionally. This means it cannot be used as an excuse to continue attacking Gaza and killing Palestinians,” he said, as reported by Bernama.
He also anticipated the opening of humanitarian aid routes through the Rafah Crossing and King Hussein Bridge once the plan is enacted. “Those who wish to provide aid should coordinate through Wisma Putra so deliveries can be carried out quickly and systematically,” he said.
According to reports, Hamas has accepted elements of the ceasefire proposal but noted that further negotiations are required. Trump’s plan includes demilitarising Gaza, creating a transitional governance mechanism, and releasing both Israeli and Palestinian prisoners.
The proposal calls for the end of hostilities and the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces, placing Gaza under the administration of an international technocratic authority. Israel has maintained a blockade on Gaza for nearly 18 years, a policy tightened in March 2025 that has triggered famine and humanitarian catastrophe.
Since October 2023, over 66,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli airstrikes, the majority of whom are women and children. - October 4, 2025
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