KUALA LUMPUR — Nine Malaysian activists who were part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition and Thousand Madleens to Gaza (FFC x TMTG) humanitarian mission returned home safely this afternoon after being detained by Israeli forces last week.
The group arrived at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) at 4.01pm aboard Turkish Airlines flight TK60 from Istanbul, where they had flown after their release from Israel on October 10.
They were greeted by Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, the wife of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, Deputy Religious Affairs Minister Dr Zulkifli Hasan, family members and supporters who had waited patiently at the arrival hall.
Anwar, who had closely monitored their situation during the week-long ordeal, fulfilled his promise to replace the activists’ mobile phones, which were thrown into the sea during their detention.
The new phones were presented by his political secretary, Datuk Azman Abidin, who was present at KLIA.
“The Prime Minister had previously promised to present them with new mobile phones after theirs were thrown into the sea. Today, he fulfilled that promise,” Azman told reporters, as reported by Bernama.
The FFC x TMTG flotilla, comprising around 150 activists from 25 countries aboard nine vessels, set sail to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza but was intercepted by Israeli forces less than 120 nautical miles from the besieged enclave on October 8.
Eight Malaysians were on board the Conscience — Prof Emeritus Dr Mohd Alauddin Mohd Ali, Dr Fauziah Mohd Hassan, Dr Hafiz Sulaiman, Dr Ili Syakira Mohd Suhaimi, Prof Dr Mohd Afandi Salleh, Dr Noorhasyimah Ismail, Norsham Abu Bakar, and Astro Awani journalist Syafik Shukri Abdul Jalil — while another doctor, Dr Maziah Muhammad, was aboard the Umm Saad.
The flotilla was towed to Ashdod Port before the activists were transferred to Ketziot Prison in Israel’s Negev desert.
Their detention prompted widespread condemnation, including from Anwar, who described the seizure as a “provocative act and a violation of international law.”
Wisma Putra, Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry, said it had immediately engaged with Türkiye and United States Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau to expedite the activists’ release.
Following diplomatic efforts, including direct contact between Anwar and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, all nine Malaysians were freed and flown to Istanbul on October 10.
Malaysia had earlier worked with Türkiye to secure the release of 23 other activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) mission, who were also detained by Israeli forces in the Mediterranean. — October 12, 2025