JOHOR BARU: The Johor state government is awaiting a full report from several parties, including the Johor Port Authority (LPJ), regarding allegations of containers belonging to the Israeli shipping company, ZIM, at a port in Iskandar Puteri.
Johor works, transportation, infrastructure, and communication committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh said that the state government’s stance is aligned with the federal government’s in not allowing Israeli shipping companies to dock at ports in the country.
He mentioned that his office would closely monitor developments and reports from the relevant parties regarding these allegations.
“We received complaints from several parties, including Kota Iskandar assemblyman Datuk Pandak Ahmad and villagers nearby, when they saw these containers at the port.
“I have been in touch with the relevant parties and am waiting for feedback and a full report from them.
“We urge that the report be provided promptly to ease public concern,” he said when met by reporters in Jalan Abdul Samad here on Sunday (June 2).
According to Mohamad Fazli, this is the first time the Johor government has received complaints about containers related to an Israeli shipping company docking at the state’s port.
“We leave this issue to the authorities. The public is advised to avoid taking matters into their own hands and to report immediately to the state government or relevant agencies to resolve the issue properly.
“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 the Israel-based shipping company, ZIM, at a port in Iskandar Puteri, Johor.
He added that the country is bound to the government’s policy of no diplomatic relations or trade agreements with Israel.
He said if there are Israeli goods in any port in Malaysia using a third party, then the matter should be monitored by the authorities.