KUALA LUMPUR, December 22 — Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced today an indefinite ban on vessels owned by Israel-based shipping company ZIM from docking at all Malaysian ports. The Transport Ministry has been directed to implement the ban immediately. Anwar stated that the decision is a response to Israel’s alleged violation of humanitarian principles and international law concerning the ongoing conflict in Palestine.
While the Cabinet had previously permitted Israeli-registered companies and ships to operate in Malaysia in 2002 and 2005, respectively, these decisions have now been reversed. Anwar emphasized that this ban includes restrictions on any vessel en route to Israel from loading cargo at Malaysian ports, with Malaysia expressing confidence that this decision will not significantly impact ongoing trade activities.
