SEPANG – Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan calls the return of the 27 Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) volunteers as a major diplomatic success for Malaysia and a strong testament to international solidarity.
He also expressed appreciation to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for his relentless efforts that led to the volunteers’ safe return to their families.
“We are deeply grateful to Allah SWT for their safety. Our highest appreciation goes to the Prime Minister for his relentless diplomatic efforts at the highest level, together with the leaders of friendly nations such as Türkiye, Egypt and Jordan,” he said in a press conference at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), last night.
Mohamad said the Turkish government also played a crucial role in assisting the release of the Malaysian volunteers who were unlawfully detained by Israeli forces after their ship was intercepted in international waters on Oct 2.
“Alhamdulillah, our citizens have safely returned home. Our thanks also go to the Turkish ambassador and all parties involved in making this mission a success,” he added.
Mohamad stressed that the GSF mission was not to enter Israel.
He said they were on their way to Gaza when they were surrounded by Israeli forces and taken into Israel.
The volunteers were reportedly released from Israeli custody and departed from Ramon Airport, Israel, at 6.45pm Malaysian time on Monday before arriving in Istanbul at 8.40pm Malaysian time.
They are singer Heliza Helmi and her sister Nur Hazwani Afiqah, who were on board the ship, Hio; 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).
Also, Razali Awang aboard the Inana; influencer Nurul Hidayah Mohd Amin or better known as Ardell Aryana (Mikeno); PU Rahmat, Norhelmi Ab Ghani, Mohd Asmawi Mukhtar, Norazman Ishak (Estrella); Zainal Rashid and Muhammad Abdullah (Fair Lady) as well as Muhammad Hareez Adzrami or better known as Haroqs, Muhd Haikal Luqman Zulkefli and Taufiq Mohd Razif (Free Willy).