Johor state government awaits full report on alleged Israeli containers spotted at Iskandar Puteri Port

JOHOR BARU: The Johor state government is awaiting a full report from several parties, including the Johor Ports Authority (LPJ), regarding allegations of containers belonging to Israeli shipping company ZIM at a port in Iskandar Puteri.

Johor Works, Transport, Infrastructure and Communications Committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh said the state government's position is aligned with that of the federal government which does not allow Israeli shipping companies to dock in the country's ports.

He mentioned that his office would closely monitor developments and reports from relevant parties regarding these allegations.

“We received complaints from several parties, including Kota Iskandar MP Datuk Pandak Ahmad and nearby villagers, when they saw these containers at the port.

“I have been in contact with the relevant parties and await their comments and a full report from them.

“We insist that the report be provided promptly to allay public concerns,” he said when meeting reporters at Jalan Abdul Samad here, Sunday (June 2).

According to Mohamad Fazli, this is the first time the Johor government has received complaints about containers linked to an Israeli shipping company docking at the state port.

“We leave this matter to the authorities. The public is advised to avoid taking matters into their own hands and immediately approach the state government or relevant agencies to resolve the matter appropriately.

“At the moment we do not know the contents of the container,” he added.

Earlier, Bernama reported that Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had called for an investigation into the alleged presence of a container bearing the logo of Israel-based shipping company ZIM at a port in 'Iskandar Puteri, Johor.

He added that the country is bound by the government's policy of not having diplomatic relations or trade agreements with Israel.

He added that if there were Israeli goods in a Malaysian port through a third party, then the matter should be monitored by the authorities.