Another Israel-bound shipment seized at Tanjung Pelepas port

On August 19, Malaysian authorities seized three containers bound for Israel at the Tanjung Pelepas port in Johor, according to Bloomberg. The containers, filled with electric bike parts from a Chinese manufacturer, were destined for the Port of Ashdod, located south of Tel Aviv. The seizure was reported by sources to Bloomberg, who quoted unnamed sources. However, the Malaysian authorities are still investigating the contents of the containers.

This followed the seizure of a container from the Philippines on August 7, which the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) suspected contained weapons due to its intended destination for the Israeli defense technology firm Elbit Systems Ltd. The AKPS examined the goods to verify their nature, specifications, intended use, and classification, as well as to determine if they were subject to trade control laws. Malaysia does not maintain diplomatic relations with Israel.

The Strategic Trade Act 2010 governs the export of sensitive technology and materials in Malaysia, primarily to combat terrorism, nuclear proliferation, and the spread of weapons of mass destruction.