MALAYSIA'S NORTHPORT EMPLOYEES UNION PROTESTS ARRIVAL OF ISRAELI VESSELS

PORT KLANG (Malaysia), June 12 (Bernama) -- About 100 members of Northport
(M) Bhd Employees Union (NMBEU) today staged a protest against the arrival of
Israeli merchant vessels at Malaysian ports.

The one hour protest at container terminal 1 which began at noon was led by
NMBEU president Ahmat Abu.

Ahmat said Klang Port Authority (LPK) and port operators should be more
sensitive and act collectively against the Israeli regime.

"We find it odd that Israeli merchant vessels can still dock at our ports
despite strong government opposition to atrocities in Gaza and the bloody raid
on a humanitarian vessel recently.

"We urge LPK, Northport, Westport and the Transport Ministry to bar Israeli
merchant vessels from calling at our ports," he told reporters here today.

Ahmat said the union would send a memorandum protesting the arrival of
Israeli vessels at Port Klang to the Northport management Saturday.

Transport Minister Kong Cho Ha said Israeli merchant vessels had
to apply for permission from port authorities before docking at Malaysian ports.

He was commenting a newspaper report that Israeli merchant vessels docked at
Malaysian ports on May 20 and June 7.

Malaysia does not have diplomatic ties with Israel.
-- BERNAMA