Release Of 23 GSF Activists Reflects Strength Of Malaysia’s Diplomacy

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 5 (Bernama) -- The successful release of 23 Malaysian activists in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) mission who were detained by the Zionist regime reflects the effectiveness of Malaysia’s cross-border diplomacy under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Amid the highly complex geopolitics of the Middle East, Malaysia’s discreet negotiations through third countries such as Jordan, Qatar and Turkiye highlighted the maturity of its principled diplomacy, which balances universal humanitarian concerns with national security interests.

This success also demonstrates the international community’s confidence in Malaysia’s role as a credible, neutral and empathetic mediator.

Universiti Malaya sociopolitical analyst Prof Datuk Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi said the multi-layered approach includes humanitarian neutrality diplomacy, which prioritises humanitarian values over politics, and reputational diplomacy, where Malaysia is seen as a strong moral voice against oppression yet remains pragmatic in protecting its people.

“The government wisely employed alternative forms of diplomacy, including third-party, multilateral and humanitarian diplomacy, while avoiding confrontation, given Malaysia has no official diplomatic ties with Israel,” he told Bernama.

Through humanitarian diplomacy, he said the focus was not political but rather on the safety of volunteers and universal humanitarian principles.

“This is in line with Malaysia’s stance at the United Nations, which emphasises humanitarian corridors for Gaza. In terms of multilateral diplomacy, Malaysia can leverage platforms such as the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), and ASEAN Dialogue Partners to exert indirect diplomatic pressure on Israel through collective voices,” he said.

He noted that domestically, this success strengthens the public’s perception of the Prime Minister as a courageous, principled and empathetic leader, while internationally, it reinforces Malaysia’s position as the ‘moral voice of the Global South’, championing universal humanitarian values.

The Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (ABIM) said the success of this diplomatic effort reflects Malaysia’s strong commitment to upholding humanitarian principles and global solidarity with the Palestinian people. 

Its president Ahmad Fahmi Mohd Samsudin said it also proved that a principled diplomacy grounded in MADANI values can effectively balance humanitarian imperatives and national security with integrity.

“This approach should serve as the foundation for strengthening Malaysia’s humanitarian diplomacy in collaboration with regional and Islamic civil society organisations,” he said.

In a Facebook Live broadcast yesterday, Anwar said the release process involved close international coordination, including discussions between Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio, as well as with the Jordanian government, and between Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff.

The Prime Minister said the success was also the outcome of his own negotiations with the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Qatar Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Türkiye’s National Security Chief Dr Ibrahim Kalin.

He added that the coordinated repatriation and rescue efforts extended beyond ensuring the safety of Malaysian and Turkish delegates, also covering activists from Europe and other countries.

Meanwhile, Malaysians of all races and ages expressed their gratitude to the Prime Minister and the government following the release of the 23 GSF activists, who are now safe in Istanbul.

Alongside the outpouring of gratitude towards Anwar on social media since yesterday, netizens also expressed appreciation to the 23 Malaysian volunteers for their dedication in braving the ordeal.

On Thursday, all 23 Malaysian activists participating in the GSF mission were detained by Israeli forces after their vessels were intercepted in the R3 Red Zone of the Mediterranean Sea before being taken to the port of Ashdod, Israel.

They were later released and departed from Ramon Airport in Israel at 6.45 pm Malaysian time yesterday, arriving in Istanbul about two hours later.

-- BERNAMA