Two Malaysians on board aid ship attacked by Israeli warship

Published: Monday May 31, 2010 MYT 12:18:00 PM

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians are on board one of the convoy of six ships carrying aid to blockaded Gaza that was attacked by an Israeli warship on Monday, killing 15 people and injuring many more.

The two Malaysians are journalist Ashwad Ismail and cameraman Shamsul Kamal Latip from Astro Awani, who are on board the lead Turkish ship Mavi Marmara that was boarded by Israeli commandos.

It is still uncertain if the Malaysians are among the dead or injured, said a senior Astro Awani source.

"We were on satellite phone contact but have not been in touch since last evening," he said, adding that they were trying desperately to establish contact.

Six other Malaysians, lawyer Matthias Chang, journalist Shamsul Akmar, Parit MP Nizar Zakaria, activist Ahmad Faizal Azumu, TV 3 crew members Halim Mohamed and Jufri Junid, who are on another ship, the Rachel Corrie coming from Cyprus, were safe, according to a statement by NGO Perdana Global Peace Organisation.

Meru state assemblyman Dr Abdul Rani Osman, who is on board one of the ships, managed to send a message to some of his Selangor state assemblymen that he was safe.

PAS activist Jamulidin Bakar was also on board one of the ships but he has yet to get in touch, said PAS secretary-general Datuk Kamaruddin Jaafar.

Another NGO, Lifeline 4 Gaza, that coordinated the aid from Malaysia plans to give a press conference at 3pm in Hotel De Palma, Seksyen 19, Shah Alam.

Reports say that Israeli navy seals boarded the ship and faced violent resistance from pro-Palestinian activists on board.

The flottilla is under the coordination of the Free Gaza Movement, numerous human rights organizations, including the Turkish Relief Foundation (IHH), European Campaign to End the Siege of Gaza, and the Swedish and Greek Boat to Gaza initiatives.

The passengers include members of Parliament from around the world, U.N., human rights and trade union activists, as well as journalists sent to document the largest coordinated effort to directly confront Israel’s blockade of Gaza and take in basic supplies.

Sources :

By SHAHANAAZ HABIB and SHAUN HO

http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/5/31/nation/20100531122437&sec=nation