Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak has instructed Wisma Putra to work for the safe return of Malaysian volunteers taking part in the pro-Palestine flotilla, which was attacked by Israeli forces yesterday.
"I have asked Wisma Putra to strive to save our volunteers. Right now, it is very difficult to get any information and there is no direct communication with the parties involved," he told a press conference after the launch of SMIDEX 2010: SME Innovation Showcase at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre today.
Najib said Malaysia would try to get the help of the United Nations and third countries to find out the latest status of the volunteers, whose fate is still unknown.
He said Wisma Putra will use its own channels of information, and the government also has representatives in the UN and connection with international intelligence agencies, which will be used to obtain information and help in saving the volunteers.
It was reported that 12 Malaysians were on board the Turkish ship Mavi Marmara, carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, when it attacked by Israeli forces off the Gaza coast on Monday morning.
Eleven of them, including journalist Ashwad Ismail and cameraman Samsul Kamal Abdul Latip from Astro Awani, are from the Malaysian Lifeline4Gaza mission, onf of the many NGOs and activist groups taking part in the "Freedom Flotilla" to bring humanitarian aid and supplies to the Gaza Strip.
At least nine people were reported killed in the attack.
“While the efforts to save our volunteers are under way, we will ensure that Israel is brought before the UN Security Council and action is taken against it for violating fundamental human rights and international law," Najib said.
“Boycotting US products would not have any effect and we do not have any products direct from Israel. We will liaise with the Security Council so that action will be taken against Israel."
