PETALING JAYA: Representatives of The Legal Centre for Arab Minority Rights in Israel (Adalah) have met 20 out of the 23 Malaysian delegates detained after the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) interception.
Sumud Nusantara Command Centre director Datuk Dr Sani Araby Abdul Alim said all Malaysian participants are safe and in stable condition based on updates on Saturday (Oct 4).
“Through our appointed representative from Adalah and our legal team in Jordan, we can confirm all Malaysian delegates are safe and stable,” he said.
Dr Sani added that all detainees were initially denied consultation rights and access to Adalah.
“However, Adalah has informed us they managed to meet 20 Malaysians,” he said at the SNCC in Sepang on Saturday.
Dr Sani said the second phase of discussions, involving final negotiations and signing of deportation documents, was delayed.
“This stage will determine the release process, but access was disrupted, preventing a follow up meeting,” he said.
He said SNCC was informed that several Malaysian participants were still denied access to legal assistance within the past 24 hours.
He said diplomatic pressure led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Wisma Putra could pave the way for their release.
“We hope within the next 48 hours this crucial phase can conclude with good news,” he said.
He said the aim is that all 23 Malaysians will be freed.
Dr Sani said Israeli forces detained a total of 462 activists, and four Italian nationals had been released.
He confirmed reports that some detainees were forced to kneel with zip tied hands for about five hours after chanting “Free Palestine.”
He said Adalah informed SNCC that detainees were denied access to water, toilets, medication and lawyers.
SNCC said the Malaysian delegation is held at Israel’s Ktzi’ot Prison, and all have signed immediate departure request forms.
“We are awaiting updates for the three remaining Malaysians, as access was interrupted due to the Yom Kippur holiday,” he said.
He said SNCC and the Malaysian government are prepared to carry out operations to bring home all 23 Malaysians once release is confirmed.
He said the Prime Minister had called SNCC and said he is in contact with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other leaders.
Dr Sani urged Malaysians to continue prayers and solidarity efforts, saying the pressure had amplified global awareness about Gaza.
“This collective pressure has reached international platforms, including the United Nations General Assembly,” he said.
“The next phase is to ensure Malaysia is ready to deliver humanitarian aid through the Rafah corridor once access is granted,” he added.
SNCC said all humanitarian supplies on board, including rice, instant noodles, biscuits and medicines, remain aboard the intercepted vessels.
“We condemn the unlawful interception of these aid shipments,” he said.
“This mission was purely humanitarian,” he added.
“Malaysia must now prepare to be among the first to deliver aid once an agreement is reached,” he said.
He said SNCC and local NGOs such as MAPIM, Cinta Gaza Malaysia and My Aqsa Defender are ready to mobilise another mission.
“This is a crucial moment for all Malaysians to unite and support the government’s leadership in this cause,” he said.
