Malaysian authorities have halted additional shipments bound for Israel at Tanjung Pelepas Port, one of the country’s largest ports, in what appears to be a significant tightening of oversight on cargo passing through its territory, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday, citing sources familiar with the matter.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim shared the report on his X/Twitter account and made clear that his country intends to continue inspecting shipments suspected of being linked to Israel.
“Malaysia’s position is clear and unequivocal. We will not allow our country to be used as a route for the transfer of shipments that support or contribute to Israel’s military capabilities and its atrocities against Palestinians and other innocent people,” Ibrahim wrote.
“Any suspicious shipment will be subject to inspection and investigation in accordance with Malaysian law. If it is determined that a violation has occurred, decisive action will be taken,” he added.
Malaysia authorities detain containers intended for Ashdod
According to the report, authorities detained three containers destined for the Port of Ashdod at the Malaysian port in mid-August, and they have yet to be released as officials examine their contents. Authorities stopped the containers on August 19, and they contained parts for electric bicycles shipped by Chinese manufacturer Chongqing Mobimax Technology. Tracking data from shipping company Maersk shows that the shipments have remained at the port for nearly a month after being seized.
The detention of the three containers came about two weeks after Malaysian authorities stopped another shipment on August 7. That container had originally arrived from the Philippines and was intended for Elbit Systems. The Malaysian Border Control Agency suspected it contained weapons. The container has not yet been released, and data from shipping company Hapag-Lloyd also shows it remains at Tanjung Pelepas.
Malaysia does not maintain diplomatic relations or trade ties with Israel, and its customs laws prohibit the import of goods from Israel or exports to it. However, the law excludes cargo passing through the country’s ports en route between other countries.
Since the latest shipments passed through Malaysia as part of transit routes, their detention may indicate a stricter interpretation of the law and an expansion of enforcement to include transit cargo.
The Malaysian Border Control Agency said the matter remains under investigation and that it cannot provide additional details at this stage. The Royal Malaysian Customs Department declined to comment, while the Johor Port Authority said it was reviewing the issue. Elbit Systems, Maersk, and Hapag-Lloyd also declined to comment.
Malaysia leaning further pro-Palestinian since October 7
Malaysia’s pro-Palestinian stance, in the Muslim-majority country, has strengthened since the outbreak of the war in Gaza in October 2023, leading to widespread protests and consumer boycotts. In December of that year, Ibrahim banned the Israeli shipping company ZIM from using Malaysian ports.
Last July, authorities also shut down a technology entrepreneurship academy in Johor following allegations that Israeli students had studied there in violation of immigration regulations. Holders of Israeli passports are not permitted to enter Malaysia without special approval.
Tanjung Pelepas Port is located near the Strait of Malacca, one of the world’s busiest shipping routes. It is Malaysia’s second-largest port and the country’s largest hub for transit cargo, which accounts for about 90% of all goods handled there.