Malaysia says it won’t allow shipments supporting Israel’s military through its ports

Malaysia’s Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, has said the country would not allow shipments that aid Israel’s military capabilities to pass through its ports.

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He declared this in a post on X on Tuesday.

“Malaysia’s position is clear and unequivocal,” he said. “We will not allow our country to be used as a conduit for any shipment that supports or contributes to Israel’s military capabilities and its atrocities against Palestinians and other innocent lives.”

“Any suspicious shipment will be subject to inspection and investigation in accordance with Malaysian law. Where a violation is established, decisive action will be taken.”

In mid-August, Malaysian authorities seized three containers bound for Israel at the country’s Port of Tanjung Pelepas and have yet to release them.

Bloomberg reported that the three containers detained at Malaysia’s Tanjung Pelepas were bound for Ashdod Port south of Tel Aviv. Those containers contained electric bike parts produced by a Chinese manufacturer, Chongqing Mobimax Technology Co.

This came a week after authorities detained an earlier container from the Philippines. The Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency said it suspected that the shipment contained weapons because it headed to Elbit Systems Ltd., an Israeli defence technology firm.

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The Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency said it is currently investigating the shipment.

In August, Mr Anwar said Malaysia would not be a conduit to trade flows that can support or contribute to “the cruelty of the Israeli regime.”

Mr Anwar has been a vocal critic of Israel due to its genocidal attack on Gaza, which has led to the death of over 73,786 people.

At the recent BRICS summit, he referred to Israel’s action in Gaza as state terrorism.

Anti-Israel sentiment in the country is also high. Malaysia doesn’t have diplomatic or trade relations with Israel due to its position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The country also prohibits imports from and exports to Israel under its customs legislation.

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Meanwhile, since July, Malaysia has been expelling Israelis from the country.

The government adopted the policy following allegations that Israelis using dual citizenship were participating in a technology-focused community in Joho.

The community, called Network School, was founded by former Coinbase CTO and investor Balaji Srinivasan. Reports alleged that Israeli nationals were entering Malaysia on passports from other countries, prompting a government investigation.