Malaysia seizes container suspected of carrying goods bound for Israel
Malaysian authorities seized a container at the Port of Tanjung Pelepas in Johor, suspected of carrying merchandise intended for export to Israel, local media reported.
The container was seized Friday by the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) following intelligence received by authorities, which prompted an inspection, according to the report.
AKPS said preliminary checks indicated that the shipment may violate customs law, which prohibits the direct or indirect export of goods to Israel.
"Based on preliminary checks, the shipment is suspected of not complying with Item No 15, Second Schedule, Customs (Prohibition on Export) Order 2023, which provides for the prohibition of direct or indirect export of goods to Israel," AKPS said in a statement cited by Berita Harian newspaper.
The agency said it would investigate the nature, specifications, intended use and classification of the goods to determine whether the cargo constituted strategic goods regulated under Malaysia's Strategic Trade Act.
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"Any attempt to export goods directly or indirectly to Israel that is against the law and government regulations will be dealt with strictly," AKPS said.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim welcomed the seizure, saying it demonstrated Malaysia's opposition to its territory being used as a conduit for trade that could support Israel.
"Congratulations to AKPS for the swift action in seizing a container suspected of carrying strategic trade cargo intended for export to Israel at the Port of Tanjung Pelepas," Anwar said in a statement shared on X.
"This action demonstrates Malaysia's firm stance to ensure that our country will never serve as a conduit for trade that could support or contribute to the Israeli regime's atrocities against the Palestinian people," he said.
Anwar said the action was also consistent with Malaysia's commitments under The Hague Group and with restrictions imposed by the government in December 2023.
'Practical effect'
In a statement, The Hague Group said that the seizure gives practical effect to obligations that all states carry under international law.
"The Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice of July 2024, affirmed by United Nations General Assembly Resolution ES-10/24, determined that states are under an obligation not to render aid or assistance in maintaining the unlawful situation created by Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory," the statement said.
Varsha Gandikota-Nellutla, Executive Secretary of The Hague Group, said: "The defence of humanity is won at ports, courts, and factories, not from the podium. Law that goes unenforced is no law at all. By halting this cargo, Malaysia has upheld the obligations that bind every UN member state under international law. We invite all states to join The Hague Group and do the same."
Malaysia is a founding member of The Hague Group, a coalition of countries that pledged to prevent the transfer of arms, ammunition, military fuel, related military equipment and dual-use items to Israel where there is a clear risk they could be used to violate international law.
The group's founding declaration also calls on member states to prevent vessels from docking at their ports if they are being used to transport such material to Israel.
The seizure follows Malaysia's decision in December 2023 to prohibit Israeli-owned shipping company Zim from docking at Malaysian ports and to bar Israeli-flagged vessels from entering the country.
At the time, Anwar also announced that vessels travelling to Israel would not be permitted to load cargo at Malaysian ports.
The government described the measures as part of its response to Israel's military campaign in Gaza and its stated support for Palestinian rights.
The latest seizure indicates that Malaysian authorities are also applying restrictions to cargo suspected of being destined for Israel, rather than limiting enforcement to Israeli-owned or Israeli-flagged vessels.
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