[UPDATED] Malaysia targeted by Mossad due to Palestine stance, says Anwar

New Straits Times

6 days ago

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is facing heightened scrutiny over its firm stance on Middle East tensions and global affairs, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the country's outspoken position on issues such as Palestine has drawn the attention of Mossad operatives and made it a target for arms and drug smuggling networks.
"This is based on the latest intelligence briefing provided by Malaysian intelligence units.
"They are taking the matter very seriously, especially following clear evidence not only of Mossad's presence, but also the use of a Malay couple from Selangor (last year), either as agents or collaborators in their operations," he said during Prime Minister's Question Time today.
Anwar also said that the Home Ministry has taken further measures and is actively working to identify threats and strengthen the country's security capabilities.
Anwar (PH-Tambun) said this in response to a supplementary question from Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal, who enquired about efforts being taken by the government to strengthen security following several incidents linked to Mossad agents.
Wan Ahmad Fayhsal also cited the assassination of a Palestinian university lecturer, believed to have been orchestrated by the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad.
The assassination of academic Dr Fadi al-Batsh took place in Kuala Lumpur in 2018.
Last year, a local married couple was arrested for allegedly supplying an Israeli national with weapons and ammunition.
The male suspect was believed to be responsible for supplying six pistols to the Israeli man, suspected of being a spy, who entered the country using a French passport.
Commenting further, Anwar said the authorities are taking security matters seriously, as there is clear evidence not only of Mossad agents' presence in the country, but also of their willingness to use locals in their operations.
However, he said the group's highly sophisticated technology has allowed many of them to flee before they could be identified.
"The case involved a Malay couple from Selangor who were found to have colluded with individuals believed to be Mossad agents, smuggling weapons from Thailand. They were later arrested and are now in prison," he said.
The Machang member of parliament also raised concerns over the malfunctioning of the automated gate system, which he said could threaten national security.
Anwar, however, said the issue has since been resolved.
"The issue of the autogate system is also linked to international bodies like Interpol, with efforts underway to improve its capabilities. The issue has so far been resolved."
On Saturday, the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (MCBA) confirmed a technical disruption affecting the autogate system used by foreign visitors at the country's main entry points.
The disruption had caused congestion at several major entry points, including Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminals 1 and 2, as well as the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine complexes at Bangunan Sultan Iskandar and Kompleks Sultan Abu Bakar in Johor.