PETALING JAYA: The government will immediately deport any Israeli nationals found in Malaysia, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said today, following claims that Israeli nationals had participated in the operations of a private residential community in Forest City, Johor.
He said Malaysia would not compromise if the allegations were found to be true and that the relevant agencies are already investigating the claims.
“I believe that the higher education minister (Zambry Abdul Kadir) will issue a statement on the matter. We are investigating it.
“If we find Israeli nationals, we will deport them immediately because we do not recognise Israel,” Sinar Harian reported him as saying in Kuala Lumpur.
Israeli passport holders generally cannot enter Malaysia without approval, as Malaysia does not have diplomatic ties with Israel.
The home ministry launched a probe after Johor menteri besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi called for a federal investigation into the allegations involving Network School.
Earlier today, the immigration department said all 266 foreigners inspected at an international community in Forest City were found to possess valid immigration documents. It did not identify the programme involved.
Immigration director-general Zakaria Shaaban said the inspection was carried out yesterday together with the Iskandar Puteri City Council, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, Johor state government and the police.
