2 Nov, 2006 in Asia, Israel . Tags: Asia; Israel;

The Israel-Malaysia Relations : A Personal Case-Study

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Quoting from the Malaysian LiewCF blog with a post titled “No Malaysia Delivery to Israel?” :

Yesterday, I sent out all the prizes of “LiewCF.com Survey 2006” to the winners by POSLAJU (Malaysia National Courier), except the grand prize.

The grand prize winner is from Israel. Yes, the Israel we read a lot about it in the newspaper. When I asked POSLAJU, Israel is not in the list of countries (92 of them). I asked another nearby local courier company but received the same reply. […]

Update: I went to DHL office. Sending parcel to Israel requires an official permission certificate (very troublesome to apply for one). Sending paper documents to Israel is less troublesome. I have contacted the winner and we will settle it by ourselves.

Yeah, this was the first time I ever won anything and it was only because I filled out a short survey in a technical blog that I enjoy reading. You can imagine my surprise when I saw my name up there as the grand prize winner, but I was immediately worried about what it would mean to send something from Malaysia to Israel. I knew that Israelis are not allowed in Malaysia and that Malaysians are not allowed in Israel and that Israel and Malaysia do not have any official diplomatic relations. It was only yesterday that I got the word from Liew Cheon Fong, the LiewCF writer, that it wouldn’t be possible to send it over.

I find this reality to be a bit sad. I’ve always been curious about Malaysia, and if were up to me – I’d be delighted at the chance to go and visit there. Writing a blog about Asia, it’s troubling that my perception of Asia is limited to the Asia that doesn’t include the Muslim countries (Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei etc.). While I was traveling in Asia the thing that was also a shame was not being able to take the Malaysian Airlines flights which –as every Asia tourist knows – are the cheapest deals around.

Anyways, LiewCF has been kind enough to offer me something else and I’m extremely grateful for his daily blogging tips and the unexpected prize. Hopefully, some day, I will be able to visit Malaysia, and not have to worry about things like how to mail something between our countries.

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View Comments so far | Have Your Say!

China Law Blog | November 4th, 2006 at 7:59 am #

What an incredible shame. Perhaps Malaysia is afraid that interaction will show its people that Israelis are not really any different from anyone else.

If they ship the I-Pod and certificate to me, I will send it on to you for no charge. If you are interested, e-mail me and we can work this out.
Yien Bin | November 6th, 2006 at 8:57 am #

Hi, I feel upset when I read up Liew’s post about this incident. I guess the real globalization only happens on Internet.

You maintain a nice blog here, and I like your header picture up there. Is that somewhere in Israel?
fiLi | November 6th, 2006 at 8:05 pm #

Oh, thanks :$

The photo is a view of my Asian home : Taipei-Taiwan.
fiLi | November 7th, 2006 at 10:14 am #

Thanks for the offer, we worked it out some other way.

I’m not even sure how this Israeli-Malaysian political situation happened. Might look it up later on…
China Law Blog | November 7th, 2006 at 12:18 pm #

Cool.
yauly | November 9th, 2006 at 12:04 am #

It is inaccurate to say that Israelis are not allowed in Malaysia and vice versa. Though it is true that the diplomatic relations are unofficial, when I worked in the airport I met a few Malaysian delegations as well as Malaysian businessmen that visited Israel. Of course it was kept as a secret and nobody would ever admit they were here, which is just as sad… but maybe there is hope.
fiLi | November 9th, 2006 at 12:39 am #

My auntie’s been to Malaysia on an Academic conference so there are always exceptions…
MalaysianSegamat | February 18th, 2007 at 10:11 pm #

i dont really understand why Israelis are not allowed in Malaysia also Malaysian are not allowed in Israel too. Malaysia is a Multi-Race country….
malay always make much overseas people dislike…
If Chinese or Indian doing business in malaysia, they MUST give a FREE COMPANY SHARE 30% to MALAY. because Malay are very stupid also too lazy.
Anita | April 25th, 2007 at 5:31 am #

I’m Malaysian and it’s extremely sad that we aren’t allowed to visit Israel. It’s one country that has always fascinated me and I love to visit someday.
Mike | February 1st, 2008 at 11:58 pm #

NO!..no diplomatic relation with Israel..unless their change their policy towards Palestinian..I’m not anti-sematic but I extremely HATE! zionist-Israel policy against Palestine people..please you outside there..read and make a little research about what happen in Middle-east crisis then we talk about Malaysia-Israel “diplomatic relation”..dont you remember July 2006 Lebanon War?..my email open to you (No Spamming!)..
MARDUK | April 15th, 2008 at 5:24 pm #

Dear Infidels, there shall be no peace with Israel. Even if they change whatever law that will give the Palestinians more autonomy. NOT EVEN if they handed over Gaza on a silver platter. I will only make peace with the sons of Isaac WHEN they hand over Jerusalem, Hebron, Tiberias and Safed to ME. Nor will I make peace with the sons of Ishmael until they give Mecca and Medina to ME. Thats right, I will not be at peace until the day I personally control all the holy grounds on this earth.
AN | August 28th, 2008 at 1:40 pm #

most of the islam based countries have these policy. yes, i believe it has to do with the palestinian issue. This is seriously a complex & very sensitive history to understand + jerusalem is also the 1 of the most important holy place for the muslims.

p/s: we are planning to visit Jordan with a chance to go to Jerusalem via West Bank. But fellow Malaysian told us, we can’t, simple fact that our passport states – no entry to israel.

a malaysian tourist with low-level of clearance,
AN
fiLi | August 28th, 2008 at 3:27 pm #

An – I believe special permits can be obtained for specific cases, like for academic collaborations and business ventures. If you have a second passport, you can ofcourse use that as well.

Have a great time in Jordan :)
Moses Mustaffa | January 17th, 2009 at 5:33 am #

You see I have been offered to do post graduate studies in Tel Aviv University all expenses paid. But I have to abide by Malaysian laws. Before we pass any judgement we have to see the overall picture on the current scenario. They don’t give scholarship to people you accuse of being lazy.One way how we can visit Israel is to apply for USA Green Card and finally cease to use Malaysian passport. If one consider onself superior, be a man , fear not being a stateless person. Money is the passport, alot of it of course.Otherwise be contented as law abiding citizen.
Yaron | August 20th, 2009 at 6:47 am #

I have dual US-Israeli citizenship with both an American and Israeli passport. My American passport says that I was born in Tel Aviv. Do you know if I am not able to change flights in Malaysia en route to Bangkok from Brisbane? Thanks for any help!
Yaron
Fili | August 20th, 2009 at 7:18 am #

Yaron – when it comes to just transit, I don’t think you’ll have any problems regardless of where you’re from and what passport you hold. If you’re asking about crossing passport control, I’m not sure but my guess would be that you won’t have any problems.
Barnabas | September 12th, 2009 at 9:50 pm #

Reverend from my church aat Malaysia had visited Jerusalem several times
john christiano | October 29th, 2009 at 6:17 pm #

you said malay stupid..get out of here stupid people..you are not welcome here..you and your grand2 parents sending by british here..go back to your original country…and look how you will survive there..rasict…no others countries in this world lucky like malaysia..
Christophernathan | December 17th, 2009 at 2:33 pm #

Please, Act like a civilized and an educated person. Your hate toward jews is soo horrible, even God cannot help you but your self. Person who has such a hate toward another being is a criminal and an infidel means unbeliever of the existence of God Almighty. God of Abraham said to Abraham ” Any person or a nation who blesses him– i mean his childrens and his generations, God in turn will bless them. you call your self a muslim and you call Abraham your father and a great prophet, how could you have such a hate toward another person, and if your book teachers that, then that book is definately not from Heaven, because God is merciful and loving and forgiving, That's why, Lord Jesus christ, whom your book calls Him a” spirit”Never died on the cross” must be a very holy for god took Him alive–( according to your book) forgived them while He was hanging on the cross, saying ” Father forgive them for they no not what they do”, because they where under devil's influence. Are you under the same influence???????????????? to hate your brother. And you call yourself better, shame on you and on your book. Knowledge is out there and abundant, search and you'll find the truth, or else you'll live in blindness for the rest of your life and be accountable to God on that day when you shall before HIm with shame on your face, my brother. With LOVE, simpathy and great sadness. Yours truely a brother in spirit.
Sue | May 14th, 2010 at 11:47 am #

Malaysian here :)

I really really would love to visit Israel . But yeah, my passport says i'm not allowed to go to Israel. Which is really sad, because I think Israel is a really fascinating country.
Peace | May 25th, 2010 at 11:20 pm #

I am a Malaysian living in USA now. I am sad to see this post actually. Trust me, those who hate Israel for no reasons are dumb asses. I know a lot of Jews here in LA and there are actually better than the Muslim I met here. (no offense though) At least they won't say i will go to hell for not believing in Allah like what happens in Malaysia.

I believe the educated Muslim in Malaysia don't hate Israel as much as they did because what Israel does now is for their survival. They target on terrorists but not Muslim, but unfortunately the people targeted are just Muslim. If you think a lot of people die because of Zionist, how many people are victim of extreme Islam? Millions, like those in Iran's Islamic revolution and the Arab-Israeli war. Do you think Saudi Arabia or Iran care for the Palestinians? If yes, why can't they just accept the Palestinians as refugees and help them. Saudi is very rich!!!!

Malaysia will only step backwards if they want to be Arab. We, Malaysians have our own culture. The Arab has nothing to do with us and Malaysia doesn't belong to Islam!!! Malaysia belongs to everyone.

I personally will visit Israel for sure one day and my neighbors have done that a lot of time. I believe as long as the Jews don't wear yarmulke in Malaysia, who can tell you are Jew? We, Malaysians know nothing about Jews or what is happening in Middle East. If we have to boycott Israel for killing Muslim, then we have to boycott Indonesia for killing Chinese and Pakistan for killing Indians. Malaysia is not an Islamic country by constitution too, it is the anti-semitic old guy who declared Malaysia an Islamic country in 2001. If we are, why did he just declare it after 911 but not before?

Sorry for this long reply, but Middle East and people who really believe blindly in religion are all fucked up. Everyone is leaving Islamic countries, even the Muslims themselves. Perhaps none of the Malaysians can tell that most Jews are not religious anymore, right? At least in the States.

Malaysia-Israel
eace
Fili | June 2nd, 2010 at 9:07 am #

Eace – thanks for sharing your thoughts. I do appreciate you taking the time to write. I really think it's up to us little people to overcome cultural national issues. Our identity goes beyond irrelevant national politics.
FD | June 2nd, 2010 at 12:55 pm #

Look from all point of view why many muslim country does not have relation with Israel. What they do to the Palastine people? And now to who ever want to help Palastine people. See what happened to the humanitarian convoy. somemore its happened in international sea, shows that Israel never respect others Law. I dont believe more than 15 people were killed by Israel. reason to protect themselve from what? sharp object? at the first place who attack who? those people try to bring a humanitarian aid to Palestine people who suffer alot all these while because of who? Israel. Do you think Muslim like to be extremist? NO. leave Palastine alone, leave Iraq who USA accused to have mass destructive weapon, untill now its all about USA wanted to get the OIL only. where is the weapon? have the world seen it? Are we Muslim make a such joke about others religion such as what they did to our Prophet? Are we muslim make a cartoon about Budha? About Jesus? or any other religion? THINK dear friend. Muslim want to leave in peace, real peace.
Acer | August 24th, 2010 at 3:01 pm #

As a Malaysian myself, Eace, you’re right on. Malaysia by Constitution is largely based on the Common law legal system, that’s why we ‘re a Commonwealth country. So the accurate way to term us, Malaysia, is NOT Muslim country, BUT a PREDOMINANTly Muslim country. That’s why we’re in parallel of 2 sets of law. The Common Law and Syariah Courts. Muslims are governed by both while non-Muslims, the Common Law.
It’s rather irritating to hear peeps saying Malaysia is a Muslim country. I’m Malaysian BUT I’m not Muslim! And we’re multi-racial. Only Malay people is Muslim in Malaysia, the rest up to their individual preferences. U can be Christian, Buddhist, Hindus, Sikhs, Shintos, etc..Atheist, whatever….
Fili | August 24th, 2010 at 3:17 pm #

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Acer. It’s nice to hear of such a liberal perspective on things.

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