Israeli ships blocked from docking in Malaysia - PM

PUTRAJAYA - Israel-based shipping company ZIM has been banned from docking at any Malaysian port with immediate effect.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stressed that the sanctions were a response to Israel's actions that set aside the basic principles of humanity and violate international law through the ongoing massacre and cruelty against Palestinians.

"The transport ministry will take immediate action by imposing a permanent ban on this company with immediate effect," Anwar said in a statement, today.

In 2002 the Cabinet began to allow ships from the company to dock in Malaysia while in 2005, permission to land was also given.

Anwar said that the government today canceled all the decisions of the previous Cabinet.

"At the same time, the Malaysian government has also decided to no longer accept ships that use the Israeli flag to dock in this country," he said.

He added that the ban was also imposed on any ship on its way to Israel from loading cargo at Malaysian ports.

"Both of these restrictions take effect immediately," he said, adding that the decision will not affect Malaysian trade activities.