04/10/2025

SATURDAY | OCT 4, 2025

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Global Sumud Flotillanoble humanitarian mission, says King

KUALA LUMPUR: His Majesty the King of Malaysia Sultan Ibrahim has described the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) as a noble humanitarian mission to alleviate the suffering of those facing hunger in Gaza, especially the elderly, women and children.

including Malaysia’s efforts to secure the release of the detained volunteers. The King prayed that every noble effort undertaken and led by the government to assist the Malaysian volunteers would be eased and safeguarded by Allah SWT. – Bernama ‘Rallies must be carried out in law-abiding manner’ KUALA LUMPUR: Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has urged the public to ensure that any rally condemning Israel’s detention of participants of the Global Sumud Flotilla humanitarian mission be conducted in an orderly and law abiding manner. His reminder came in the wake of a rally held in front of the United States Embassy on Thursday. Saifuddin Nasution said the right to peaceful assembly must be exercised responsibly and in accordance with the law, without endangering public safety or obstructing civil servants from carrying out their duties. He stressed that no party should use the pretext of holding a rally to cause disorder or pose a threat to national security. “The peaceful assembly organised by some Malaysians is a right guaranteed by the Federal Constitution, and it reflects our solidarity with the humanitarian cause in Palestine. “However, I strongly condemn the irresponsible actions of certain individuals who attempted to obstruct police from performing their duties during the assembly in front of the United States Embassy yesterday,” he said in a post on his Facebook page yesterday. He said police personnel are deployed on the ground to safeguard public safety and order but regrettably certain parties had acted beyond limits to the extent of injuring some police personnel. “Malaysia will remain steadfast in standing with the Palestinian people until justice and freedom are achieved.” – Bernama Asean partners in Amman and Tel Aviv to obtain updates and provide consular assistance. Five Malaysian human rights lawyers – Dir Kheizwan Kamaruddin, Fahmi Abd Moin, Azril Mohd Amin, Ahmad Nazrin Abu Bakar and Luqman Mazlan – are in Amman to represent the detainees. They are working alongside Israel based lawyers from The Legal Centre for Arab Minority Rights in Israel and international legal teams. GSF said more than 450 activists from 47 countries have been transferred to the Port of Ashdod in southern Israel. The activists include nationals from Malaysia, Spain, Italy, Brazil, Turkiye, Greece, the United States, Germany, Sweden, Britain and France. Israel’s Foreign Ministry said the detainees would be deported to Europe. – By Faiz Ruzman

page, relayed by the Royal Press Office. Earlier, Sultan Ibrahim granted an audience to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at Istana Bukit Tunku here, during which Anwar presented an update on the latest developments concerning the GSF,

convey the message of humanity to the world. “They carried only food supplies, yet were obstructed and detained. Such actions are against the principles of universal humanitarian values,” His Majesty said in a post on his Facebook

His Majesty said the mission embodies the spirit of humanity without borders, extending aid to those who are most in need. “The volunteers in the GSF mission, including Malaysians, are willing to accept risks and challenges in order to

Turkiye help sought to secure release of M’sian activists

o Assistance also requested from international partners with influence over Israel to coordinate negotiations to bring detainees home

Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Anwar at 8.10am yesterday to obtain the latest information on the health and safety of all activists and their families. “As the main patron of the Sumud Nusantara Humanitarian Mission, he enquired about the well-being of the activists’ families and their health condition, and conveyed his regards while giving full assurance,” he said in a statement. The GSF mission, which involves more than 500 activists from 44 countries including Malaysia, was sailing towards Gaza as a symbol of solidarity and an effort to break the Israeli blockade by delivering essential supplies to Palestinians affected by the ongoing attacks of the Zionist regime. The flotilla carrying humanitarian aid and medical supplies set sail at the end of August, the largest attempt in years to break the blockade. Israel has enforced a blockade on Gaza for almost 18 years, recently tightened in March when it shut crossings and blocked food and medicine deliveries, worsening famine conditions. Since October 2023, Israeli bombings have killed over 66,200 Palestinians. KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has hit back at claims that participants of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) are “terrorists”, calling the allegation outrageous and insulting. “The accusation comes from the terrorists themselves – the Israeli regime. “The biggest terrorist is calling them terrorists. These people carried no weapons, they harmed no one. They brought food, water and medicine. How can they be called terrorists? This is outrageous and insulting.” Anwar also praised the resilience of the detained Malaysians. “ Alhamdulillah , they have shown remarkable spirit. Although they faced harsh seas and had their phones thrown into the ocean, what matters most is their safety. They have contributed greatly in raising global

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is working with Turkiye to secure the release of 23 Malaysian activists detained by Israeli forces, with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim confirming that plans are under way to bring them home via Istanbul. Anwar said he had spoken with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and National Security Adviser Dr Ibrahim Kalin who assured him that Ankara would use its channels with Israel to push for the Malaysians’ release. “I have requested President Erdogan’s assistance, if possible, to take our citizens from wherever they are held in Israel to Istanbul. “From there, God willing, we will bring them home,” he said after performing Friday prayers at Masjid Al-Khadijah, Pantai Dalam. He said he has also engaged with the Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Mohammed Abdul Rahman Al Thani, as well as United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff to coordinate negotiations. Anwar said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail have been tasked with handling matters abroad and domestically. “Our citizens are safe although they are being cruelly detained by the Israeli regime. The way forward is to explore every possible avenue to secure their release. That is my main duty – to bring them home.” He said Malaysia must depend on international partners with influence over Israel. “This is the wisdom of diplomacy. We use every available channel, and if it succeeds I will express gratitude to all involved.” In a statement earlier, Sumud Nusantara Command Centre director-general Datuk Dr Sani Araby Abdul Alim Araby said Anwar had given his full assurance that the government is making every possible effort to secure the release of Malaysian activists who participated in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) mission. He said he was contacted by

Anwar attending Friday prayers at Masjid Al-Khadijah in Pantai Dalam yesterday. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUN

Calling GSF participants ‘terrorists’ outrageous: PM

at the Port of Ashdod in Israel and are receiving legal assistance. “ InshaAllah , the Sumud heroes and heroines who were captured have started arriving at the occupation port in Ashdod. GSF lawyers have started contacting them to provide legal services. “At the very earliest we will share their developments tomorrow morning. In the meantime, keep up the action!” he said in a post on his Facebook page. Nadir and three other Malaysian volunteers remain in the Mediterranean aboard the observation vessel Jong Melayu . The Malaysian Embassy in Amman, Jordan, is also closely monitoring the situation. It has met with the Malaysian legal team in Amman to ensure that the detainees receive fair and transparent legal protection. It is also maintaining communication with

awareness, and we salute their sacrifice,” he said after performing Friday prayers. He added that while some had criticised his approach, his priority is to save lives. “Sometimes we speak as if we are heroes without limits. But the real struggle is there, where 65,000 lives have already been lost. Our responsibility is to save lives and to ensure humanitarian aid and food supplies reach those in need. That is what matters to me.” The Foreign Ministry yesterday confirmed that all 23 Malaysians detained are safe and healthy and would be repatriated via a third country. Muhammad Nadir Al-Nuri Kamaruzaman, Cinta Gaza Malaysia CEO and leader of the Sumud Nusantara contingent, said the detained activists have begun arriving