TMR

SEPANG — The government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the humanitarian mission to Gaza despite the detention of Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0 (GSF2.0) participants, including Malaysians, by Israeli forces on May 1.

Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, who is the mission’s patron minister, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s consistent support reflects Malaysia’s commitment to championing humanitarian causes on the international stage.

“Our support will only grow stronger as we value the sacrifices made by activists, including Malaysians, who give up their time, money and comfort voluntarily. Malaysia should be proud of these individuals.

“They expose themselves to risk solely to ‘Break the Silence’ and ‘Break the Siege’, the two missions carried out consistently,” he told reporters after visiting the Sumud Nusantara Command Center (SNCC) operations centre here today.

He said the mission’s management this time appeared more structured and organised, boosting confidence that its objectives are closer to being achieved, or at least strengthening international awareness of the situation in Gaza.

Amirudin said that support for the cause is growing louder in Europe, prompting Malaysia to take a clear and firm stance.

He said Malaysia is currently the only country providing official government-level recognition of the mission, while others have offered support individually, financially or morally.

“This approach has drawn attention from other countries, which appreciate Malaysia’s willingness, and that of the Prime Minister, to act as patron not just in a personal capacity, but officially on behalf of the government,” he said.

He noted that the humanitarian mission is not limited to Muslims, but involves participants from Europe and the Nusantara region in efforts to break the blockade on Gaza and raise global awareness.

The current mission adopts both land and sea approaches, with aid deliveries via Rafah, where 30 containers carrying 374 tonnes are en route.

Amirudin said the delivery process requires compliance with protocols in the countries involved, particularly in crossing borders.

However, he noted that previous efforts had successfully delivered 100 containers of aid, including 40,000 tins of food distributed ahead of Ramadan and Eid, which reached Palestinians.

Updates on the mission, including developments in Rafah, he said, would be provided once all delivery arrangements are completed.

In a related development, Amirudin said attempts to block the GSF2.0 mission in international waters, about 1,000km (600 nautical miles) from Gaza, reflect the desperation of the Israeli regime and have drawn widespread global attention.

“Voices in Europe are growing stronger, and Malaysia will continue to adopt a peaceful yet firm stance, with bolder actions, as demonstrated by the government.

“I believe Malaysia’s position will encourage other countries to follow suit and serve as an example in extending similar recognition,” he added. — BERNAMA

The post Amirudin: Malaysia to press on with Gaza humanitarian mission appeared first on The Malaysian Reserve.

PUTRAJAYA — Former Economy Minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli (picture) is scheduled to return to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) headquarters here tomorrow to continue providing his statement in connection with an investigation into a RM1.1 billion investment case.

The Pandan MP said he has been instructed to appear at 10 am to assist with the investigation, which he described as routine.

“It is a normal investigation process, they ask questions, and I answer. So far, everything is going smoothly, though it is time-consuming,” he told reporters outside the MACC headquarters here today.

He said today’s session started at 10 am and ended at 6.40 pm, lasting almost nine hours.

Rafizi declined to comment further on the details or focus of the investigation as it is still ongoing. 

“I cannot comment on the specific angles of the investigation,” he said.

He did not rule out being summoned for several more days, depending on the progress of the probe and the number of questions.

Earlier, Rafizi was present to assist in investigations into allegations of abuse of power and misappropriation involving a strategic semiconductor industry cooperation agreement between the Economy Ministry and the United Kingdom-based Arm Holdings.

Last Saturday, MACC senior director of Investigations Datuk Mohd Hafaz Nazar confirmed that Rafizi would be called to record a statement under Section 23 of the MACC Act 2009, which relates to using one’s office or position for gratification.

Meanwhile, Mohd Hafaz, in a separate statement, said Rafizi’s presence was to provide the commission with cooperation in completing its ongoing investigation. — BERNAMA

The post Rafizi to continue giving statement to MACC tomorrow over RM1.1b probe appeared first on The Malaysian Reserve.

JAKARTA — Tourists from Malaysia continued to be the largest contributors to foreign visitor arrivals to Indonesia in March 2026, as total international visits to the country rose by 10.5 per cent year-on-year to 1.09 million for the month.

Statistics Indonesia Deputy for Distribution and Services Statistic Ateng Hartono said Malaysian tourists accounted for 186,530 visits, representing 17.14 per cent of total arrivals.

“Based on nationality, tourists from Malaysia remained the largest contributors to visitor arrivals to Indonesia,” he said according to Antara News Agency, on Monday.

Ateng said domestic tourism also recorded strong growth, with 126.34 million trips in March, reflecting a 42.10 per cent increase compared to March 2025.

The agency said total domestic trips reached 319.51 million in the first quarter of 2026, rising 13.14 per cent year-on-year.

He said the increase was in line with heightened public mobility during the Eid al-Fitr festive period with all modes of transportation registering higher passenger volumes.

Ateng said cumulatively, foreign arrivals reached 3.44 million in the January-March 2026 period, up 8.62 per cent compared with the same period last year, marking the highest level recorded since 2020. — BERNAMA

The post Malaysians remain top source of foreign tourist arrivals to Indonesia in March 2026 appeared first on The Malaysian Reserve.

KUALA LUMPUR — Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail said he will hold a meeting with the Taiping Zoo and Night Safari in the near future to discuss issues related to three elephants, Dara, Amoi and Kelat (DAK), currently at Tennoji Zoo, Japan.

He said the meeting aimed to obtain further clarification and examine the best steps to bring the mammals back following concerns raised by various parties regarding the welfare and survival of jumbos in that country which has four seasons.

“I, along with the Taiping Zoo authorities, will hold a discussion and meeting in the near future, even earlier than the meeting planned by the Perak state government.

“We are worried that something will happen to the elephants … we are working on bringing them back to Malaysia and we hope the people will support this effort because the voice of the people can influence a decision,” he told Bernama.

He said this after attending the recording of the Ruang Bicara programme, produced by Bernama TV at Wisma Bernama today.

Previously, Wan Rosdy urged that the three elephants be immediately brought back to their homeland and placed at the Kuala Gandah National Elephant Conservation Centre in Temerloh, which is more suitable for the habitat and natural needs of elephants.

The call follows the statement by the Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup, who emphasised that Dara, Amoi, and Kelat should be brought back to Malaysia from Japan if the implementation of the existing agreement is found to no longer align with conservation principles, wildlife welfare and current sensitivities.

Last Friday, Perak Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Sandrea Ng Shy Ching said that a meeting with stakeholders will be held this week to thoroughly discuss the issue of relocating the three elephants. — BERNAMA

The post Pahang MB to meet with Taiping Zoo officials to discuss elephant issue appeared first on The Malaysian Reserve.

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia and Indonesia will continue maintaining close ties through military cooperation and joint commitment within the ASEAN framework, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said.

He said both countries played vital roles in ensuring the safety of strategic waters such as the Melaka Straits and the Sulu Sea, as well as strengthening land border controls in Borneo island, including the Kalimantan region.

The cooperation between both countries were important for the regional stability and security, he added.

Mohamed Khamed had earlier received a courtesy call from Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia Raden Datuk Mohammad Iman Hascarya Kusumo at Wisma Pertahanan.

“His first visit since assuming his official duties in Kuala Lumpur opens up room to strengthen bilateral ties, especially in the field of defence between both countries,” he posted on Facebook today. — BERNAMA

The post Mohamed Khaled: Malaysia, Indonesia to continue close military cooperation within ASEAN framework appeared first on The Malaysian Reserve.

SEMPORNA — The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) seized 575 kilogrammes (kg) of ammonia fertiliser believed to be used to produce fish bombs in a boat abandoned in the waters of Pulau Bum Bum here yesterday.

MMEA Semporna maritime zone director Cmdr (M) Amir Shubli said the seizure at 4 pm occurred after a patrol detected a suspcious pump boat at 0.2 nautical miles north of the isiand and saw a suspect jump into the sea.

“A suspect escaped by swimming to the shore nearby, and inspections of the boat revealed 22 sacks of ammonia fertiliser with an estimated weight of about 575 kg.

“The material is believed to be used for fish bombing, and using such methods is a criminal offence as it is capable of destroying the marine ecosystem,” he said in a statement here today, adding that it would cause devestation to coral reefs.

The case is being investigated under the Fisheries Act 1985 and the Control of Supplies Act 1961, he said. — BERNAMA

The post MMEA seizes 575 kgs of fish bomb materials in Semporna appeared first on The Malaysian Reserve.