Steven Sim Urges Global Solidarity For Gaza Flotilla At WSSF

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 3 (Bernama) -- Human Resource Minister Steven Sim seized the global platform of the World Social Security Forum (WSSF) 2025, which drew delegates from over 130 countries, to voice solidarity with the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF).

Speaking at the WSSF Gala Dinner last night, Sim urged the international community to unite against injustice and act to end ongoing atrocities.

“We are in the business of protecting people and dignity, of ensuring our workers are safe. But conscience compels me to speak also of those who are not safe tonight, not because of an accident, but because they are detained, their freedom denied, their dignity trampled upon.

“Thirty-four Malaysians were among the brave souls on the GSF, seized on their humanitarian mission to Gaza, Palestine,” he said.

Sumud Nusantara Command Centre director-general Datuk Dr Sani Araby Abdul Alim Araby yesterday confirmed 23 Malaysian volunteers on the flotilla were detained by Israeli forces.

They included singer Heliza Helmi and her sister, Nur Hazwani Afiqah, who were aboard the Hio vissel; Nurfarahin Romli and Danish Nazran Murad (Grande Blu); singer Zizi Kirana (Huga); Musa Nuwayri, Iylia Balqis and Sul Aidil (Alma); Haikal Abdullah, Muaz Zainal, Zulfadhli Khiduddin and Rusydi Ramli (Sirius).

Others were Razali Awang (Inana); influencer Nurul Hidayah Mohd Amin, also known as Ardell Aryana (Mikeno); PU Rahmat, Norhelmi Ab Ghani, Mohd Asmawi Mukhtar and Norazman Ishak (Estrella); Zainal Rashid and Ustaz Muhammad (Fair Lady); as well as Muhammad Hareez Adzrami (also known as Haroqs), Muhd Haikal Luqman Zulkefli and Taufiq Mohd Razif (Free Willy).

The flotilla, comprising more than 500 activists from 44 countries, had set sail for Gaza to break Israel’s blockade and deliver humanitarian aid.

Meanwhile, Sim expressed appreciation to the International Social Security Association (ISSA) for designating Kuala Lumpur as the global capital for social security over the past week, during which the WSSF brought together over 1,000 participants to chart the future of social protection systems worldwide.

“To the delegates, I hope Kuala Lumpur has given you the space and opportunity for an impactful discussion,” he said.

Sim highlighted that the delegates’ mission to protect people and uphold dignity everywhere is of utmost importance, and decisions made at the forum are expected to impact the lives of billions.

“We do not safeguard dignity with guns or bombs, but with social policy rooted in the conviction that every person, men and women, young and old, of every colour and creed, in health or in disability, deserves a dignified life,” he said.

-- BERNAMA