KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 20): The government has decided to restrict and prohibit the Israel-based shipping company ZIM from docking at any Malaysian port with immediate effect.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in a statement on Wednesday said that the Ministry of Transport will take immediate action to impose a permanent ban on ZIM's vessels, which are en route to Malaysia's Westport.
“This sanction is a response to Israel’s actions that disregard the basic humanitarian principles and violate international law through the ongoing massacre and continuous cruelty against the Palestinian people” Anwar said.
“In addition, Malaysia has also decided to no longer accept ships flying the Israeli flag to dock in the country. Furthermore, Malaysia has imposed a ban on any ship that are heading to Israel from loading cargo at Malaysian ports,” Anwar added.
Immediate effect
Both of these restrictions are effective immediately.
Notably, the Cabinet had previously allowed ZIM’s ships to dock in Malaysia in 2002 and 2005, but the current government has decided to revoke those decisions.
Anwar remarked that these decisions will not affect Malaysia’s trade activities.
Malaysia has been a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause and has repeatedly condemned Israel’s atrocities and occupation of Palestinian territories.
Malaysia does not have diplomatic relations with Israel and does not recognise its statehood.
According to a Bernama report, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the government’s decision gives a clear signal that the country does not recognise Israel and will not collaborate with it in any way, including in its economy.
Fahmi, who is the Unity Government spokesperson, said the decision was in line with the government’s policy over the years which emphasised several issues involving Israel.
Fahmi said the restriction is not expected to affect operations in terms of shipping and port use.
“I don’t have the specific percentage of the companies entering our ports en route to Israel, but I believe the number is not that big,” he said.
Separately, the prime minister’s greatest critique Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamand backed the Anwar’s decision on social media.
“[We support the decision] This is because Israel's extreme and inhumane actions against the Palestinian people should be abhorred and any protest action that can be taken should be taken,” read his post on his X (formerly Twitter) account.
Mahathir added that the government in 2002 allowed ZIM to dock because at that time “Malaysia still had hope for peace efforts between Palestine and Israel”.