Malaysia has detained three containers headed for Israel at the Port of Tanjung Pelepas as authorities investigate their cargo, Bloomberg reported, less than two weeks after another Israel-linked shipment was stopped at the same port.
The three containers were detained on August 19 and remained at the port while their contents were examined, people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg. Shipping documents identified the cargo as electric bicycle parts produced by Chinese manufacturer Chongqing Mobimax Technology Co. and destined for Israel’s Ashdod Port, near Tel Aviv.
Malaysian authorities previously stopped a separate container at Tanjung Pelepas on August 7 on suspicion of violating restrictions on exports to Israel.
The Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency said officials would determine whether that cargo included strategic goods controlled under the country’s Strategic Trade Act.
Sources told Bloomberg that the earlier shipment was addressed to Israeli defense company Eblit Systems and was suspected of containing weapons.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim shared a report about the case on X and said Malaysia would continue examining cargo suspected of links to Israel.
“Malaysia’s position is clear and unequivocal. We will not allow our country to be used as a route for the transfer of shipments that support or contribute to Israel’s military capabilities and its atrocities against Palestinians and other innocent people,” Ibrahim wrote.
“Any suspicious shipment will be subject to inspection and investigation in accordance with Malaysian law. If it is determined that a violation has occurred, decisive action will be taken,” he added.
Malaysia has no diplomatic relations or trade ties with Israel. Malaysian customs rules prohibit goods from being imported from Israel or exported to the country, but do not apply to cargo merely transiting Malaysian ports between other countries.
Both cases involved shipments passing through Malaysia rather than originating there. The detention of the transit cargo could signal that authorities are interpreting existing restrictions more broadly and increasing scrutiny of goods traveling through Malaysian ports on their way to Israel.
