KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 8 (Bernama) — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today expressed pride in the struggle and sacrifices of the 23 Malaysian activists who took part in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) humanitarian mission.
He said the mission, aimed at providing aid to the people of Gaza, had marked a historic moment for the nation as Malaysians from diverse backgrounds braved immense challenges in the name of universal solidarity.
Anwar, who is also the patron of Sumud Nusantara, said he deeply respected the spirit and courage of the GSF participants who left their families behind to join the humanitarian cause despite the high risks involved.
“This is not a trip to Paris; this is going to Gaza, which is under Israeli control. As a father, I was, of course, worried because I knew they were heading into a period of hardship.
“But I respect them because these young Malaysians have made history. They do not just speak — they act in a true jihad,” he said at ‘Himpunan Solidariti Bersama Gaza’ held at Axiata Arena Bukit Jalil here tonight.
The Prime Minister said the GSF voyage had drawn global attention, with the participants’ courage — including that of the Malaysian representatives — serving as a symbol of resilience and global solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
Anwar also rebuked certain quarters for belittling the GSF participants’ efforts by accusing them of having ulterior motives.
“I salute them, because even for me, it would not be easy to go. Some people say their intentions are not pure, that they just want to be famous or promote their institutions — what kind of people are these?
“You don’t have the courage to go; at least pray for those who do. That’s the least you can do,” he said, adding that the activists’ determination carried far greater meaning than those who merely talk without taking any action to support the Palestinian struggle.
The GSF mission, involving over 500 activists from 44 countries, including Malaysia, set sail for Gaza as a show of solidarity and an effort to break Israel’s blockade while delivering essential supplies to Palestinians affected by continuous attacks from the Zionist regime.
However, the mission took a turn when all the activists, including 23 Malaysians, were detained by Israeli forces on Oct 2 after their vessels were intercepted in the Red Zone R3 waters of the Mediterranean Sea and brought to the port of Ashdod, Israel.
The detained Malaysians were singer Heliza Helmi and her sister Nur Hazwani Afiqah (aboard the Hio); Nurfarahin Romli (Farah Lee) and Danish Nazran Murad (Grande Blu); singer Zizi Kirana (Huga); Musa Nuwayri, Iylia Balqis and Sul Aidil (Alma); Haikal Abdullah, Muaz Zainal, Zulfadhli Khiruddin and Rusydi Ramli (Sirius); Razali Awang (Inana); influencer Nurul Hidayah Mohd Amin, better known as Ardell Aryana (Mikeno); PU Rahmat, Norhelmi Ab Ghani, Mohd Asmawi Mukhtar and Norazman Ishak (Estrella); Zainal Rashid and Ustaz Muhammad Abdullah (Fair Lady); and Muhammad Hareez Adzrami or Haroqs, Muhd Haikal Luqman Zulkefli and Taufiq Mohd Razif (Free Willy).
All 23 Malaysian activists were successfully released from Israel on Oct 4 through the Prime Minister’s strong intervention and the assistance of the Turkish government.
— BERNAMA