By Selangor Journal Team
SHAH ALAM, Dec 20 — The government has decided to ban Israeli shipping company, ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd, from docking at any of Malaysian ports amid Israel’s ongoing violence against Palestine.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the decision comes into effect immediately, with the Transport Ministry tasked with imposing the permanent ban. It also extends to all ships that fly the Israeli flag.
“This restriction is in response to Israel’s actions that violate basic humanitarian principles and international laws,” he said in a statement today, referring to the aggression and violence committed on the people of Palestine.
Anwar noted that the initial decision to allow ships from the Israeli firm to anchor in the country’s territorial waters was made by the then Cabinet in 2002.
Three years later, permission was granted for these ships to go ashore, he said.
“However, the current government has decided to annul all past Cabinet decisions.”
Similarly, Anwar said the government will prohibit any vessels on their way to Israel from loading cargo in the country’s territorial waters, which also comes into immediate effect.
“Malaysia is confident these decisions will not affect trade activities in the country,” he said.
The announcement comes just two days after Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) Malaysia — a Palestinian-led movement for freedom, justice and equality — initiated a petition to ban ZIM ships from docking in Malaysia, with one of the company’s vessels scheduled to dock at Westport, Klang on December 26.
In an Instagram post, the group noted that ships owned by ZIM have been allowed to dock in Malaysia after being given prior permission by the Transport Ministry.
It said by right, they should not be allowed to anchor here considering the Malaysian government’s strict policy not to have any trade relations with Israel.
In this regard, it urged the Cabinet to ban all Israeli-owned ships from docking in the country.
