GSF 2.0: Malaysian Volunteers To Serve As Captains And Technical Crew

By Puti Iylia Maisarah

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 26 (Bernama) -- Five Malaysian volunteers selected for the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) 2.0 mission will soon depart for Europe, where they will serve as captains and technical crew members in preparation for the upcoming humanitarian aid mission to Gaza.

Cinta Gaza Malaysia (CGM) chief executive officer Muhammad Nadir Al-Nuri Kamaruzaman said the five volunteers were the first Malaysians to take part in the technical and boat-handling aspects of the international mission.

“The Malaysian volunteers have been selected to take on roles as captains, crew members, and technicians in the vessel’s preparation.

“They have undergone a rigorous interview and screening process by the Global Sumud Flotilla and Sumud Nusantara before being allowed to join the international team in Europe in the near future,” he told Bernama.

Muhammad Nadir Al-Nuri said the GSF 2.0 mission, scheduled to set sail on April 12 from Barcelona, Spain, will involve more than 100 vessels, making it the largest flotilla mission in history.

He said that to date, dozens of vessels had been successfully secured at various ports across Europe and were now undergoing final preparations.

“In terms of security, there are many challenges since we are preparing the largest flotilla mission in history, something that has never been done before.

“We have set conditions for those (apart from the five volunteers) who wish to participate, requiring them to be ready until at least mid-May and prepared for all eventualities if they join us on the vessels,” he added.

Muhammad Nadir Al-Nuri said the flotilla was expected to follow a similar route to the previous mission, with stops in Tunisia and Italy and that the voyage to Gaza would take about two weeks, depending on weather conditions and if there were no disruptions.

“We expect Israel to act more aggressively this time. With such a large number of vessels, it may be difficult for them to intercept as before, and we are prepared to face any unforeseen measures they may take,” he said.

Meanwhile, CGM strategic executive (Public Relations) Muhd Haikal Luqman Zulkefli said that so far, almost 20 volunteers, including members of the public and representatives from non-governmental organisations such as CGM, Cinta Salam Malaysia, and the Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organisations (MAPIM), had participated in the mission.

He said the group was the main driving force responsible for coordinating and facilitating all matters related to participants and the operations of GSF 2.0.

--BERNAMA