THE government is intensifying diplomatic and legal efforts to secure the immediate and unconditional release of nine of its citizens detained by Israeli authorities following the interception of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) and Thousand Madleens to Gaza (TMTG) humanitarian mission on 8 October.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Malaysia’s embassies in Amman and Ankara, along with an international legal team, are working to gain consular access to the detained citizens and expedite their safe repatriation.
The government is also coordinating closely with friendly nations, particularly Türkiye.
“All nine Malaysian nationals are reported to be in good health. The safety and welfare of all Malaysian citizens remain the government’s highest priority,” the statement said.
The flotilla, comprising approximately 150 activists from 25 countries aboard nine ships—including Conscience and Umm Saad—was intercepted by Israeli forces at approximately 10:50am Malaysian time on 8 October, roughly 120 nautical miles from Gaza.
The detained activists were later taken to Ketziot Prison in Israel’s Negev region.
However, reports have emerged of mistreatment during and after the interception. Humanitarian Care Malaysia (MyCARE) chief executive Kamarul Zaman Shaharul Anwar stated that according to a lawyer from the Legal Centre for Arab Minority Rights in Israel (Adalah), several Malaysian activists were subjected to physical abuse.
“They were kicked, slapped and aggressively held, receiving treatment similar to that experienced by participants of the Global Sumud Flotilla,” Kamarul Zaman told reporters at a press briefing in Serdang.
He confirmed that nine Malaysian activists had been accounted for and were not physically injured, though MyCARE has arranged for medical evaluations upon their release. As of 3pm, Adalah lawyers had met with 100 of the 145 activists in detention.
Seven Malaysians had signed deportation agreements, while the status of two others remained unclear, pending tribunal proceedings expected to conclude at midnight Malaysian time.
Kamarul Zaman emphasised that the activists, who include medical professionals and international journalists, were part of a peaceful humanitarian initiative.
“They are not carrying weapons, but hope, medicine and care for the Palestinian people, especially in Gaza, who have long endured suffering. The humanitarian mission was stopped in the middle of the ocean before it could arrive at its destination,” he said, urging Malaysians to unite in prayer during what he described as a time of crisis.
The Malaysian participants on board the Conscience include delegation leader Prof Emeritus Dr Mohd Alauddin, Dr Fauziah Mohd Hassan, Dr Hafiz Sulaiman, Dr Ili Syakira Mohd Suhaimi, Prof Dr Mohd Afandi Salleh, Dr Noorhasyimah Ismail, Norsham Abu Bakar, and Astro Awani journalist Syafik Shukri Abdul Jalil. Dr Maziah Muhammad was aboard the Umm Saad. - October10, 2025
