Anwar Orders Deportations as Johor Entry Reports Trigger Probe

Malaysia's prime minister says Israeli nationals found in the country will be removed at once, amid claims dual passports were used to slip into the southern state

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has said that any Israelis found entering the country will be deported immediately, as authorities look into reports that Israeli nationals used dual citizenship documents to enter the southern state of Johor.

Speaking on Wednesday, Anwar said the matter was under investigation and that such entry was not permitted. Because Malaysia does not recognise Israel, he said, anyone found to have entered in this way would be deported at once, and action would have to be taken.

His comments followed reports that an Israeli holding dual passports had managed to enter Johor. The prime minister said the relevant government agencies were examining accounts of Israelis entering Malaysia on second-country documents.

Scrutiny in Forest City

The Johor state government has called on the Home Ministry and other agencies to investigate the operation of the Network School in Forest City, which has been alleged to involve Israeli nationals.

Malaysia, a longstanding supporter of the Palestinian cause, does not recognise Israel and bars Israeli passport holders from entry. A number of other countries maintain the same position and hold no diplomatic relations with the regime, among them Indonesia, Pakistan, Algeria, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen.

Reference: PressTv