MALAYSIAN PM NAJIB DIRECTS FOREIGN MINISTRY TO SAVE MALAYSIAN VOLUNTEERS

KUALA LUMPUR, June 1 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Prime Minister Menteri Najib
Tun Razak said Tuesday he has instructed Wisma Putra (Ministry of Foreign
Affairs) to save the Malaysian volunteers on board the ship carrying
humanitarian aid to Gaza which was attacked by Israel Monday.

He said that in view that there was no communication with the parties
involved, Malaysia would get the help of the United Nations and third countries.

"I have asked Wisma Putra to strive to save our volunteers. We have
difficulty getting information...there's no communication with the parties
involved," he told a news conference here.

Twelve Malaysians, including a journalist and a cameraman from Astro Awani,
were reported to be on board the Turkish ship, Mavi Marmara, which was attacked
by Israeli forces off the Gaza coast Monday morning. At least 10 people were
reported killed in the attack.

So far the fate of the Malaysian is not known.

According to a foreign news agency report, Israel had detained 480
pro-Palestinian activitists captured in its deadly commando raid on the ship and
would expel 48 others.

-- BERNAMA