KUALA LUMPUR 1 May 2026 – A fresh wave of online backlash has hit opposition supporters in Malaysia after a viral TikTok video dismissed the ongoing Sumud Nusantara humanitarian mission to Gaza as mere “wayang” (staged drama), even as Malaysian participants faced detention by Israeli forces.
The controversy erupted following Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0 in international waters near Crete on 30 April 2026. Israeli authorities detained around 175 activists from multiple vessels attempting to deliver aid and break the Gaza blockade. Among them were at least 10 Malaysians linked to Sumud Nusantara, Malaysia’s regional contribution to the global effort. By Friday evening, the Sumud Nusantara Command Centre (SNCC) confirmed that all 10 Malaysian participants had been released and were en route to Istanbul via a special Turkish flight for their return home.
The mission has drawn bipartisan support in Malaysia, with PAS parliamentarians Ahmad Termizi Sulaiman and Haji Abdul Latiff Abdul Rahman publicly joining and endorsing the effort alongside civil society groups.
However, a TikTok video posted by user @fitnahapahariini on 30 April quickly went viral after being shared on X by user @adamyusuf88. In the clip, the speaker – identified in overlays as a media officer linked to Perikatan Nasional figures – labels the mission “wayang Sumud” and mocks the participation of PAS lawmakers. He sarcastically remarks that detained activists (referred to as “ZRA” in Zionist custody) should be left as “martyrs,” urging the Malaysian government not to spend more public funds or intervene on their behalf because “the economy is bad.”
The X post accompanying the video carried a strong rebuke:
“Busuknya hati Walaun. Diorang ni dah jadi geng zionis Israel ke?”
(Translation: “How foul-hearted these Walaun are. Have they become part of the Zionist Israel gang?”)
“Walaun” is a popular pejorative term used online to refer to supporters of Perikatan Nasional (PN) and PAS.
The post triggered an outpouring of criticism in the replies. Many users pointed out the perceived hypocrisy, noting that Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s administration had previously worked tirelessly to secure the release of Malaysian religious figures and activists detained in similar past missions. Some recalled Anwar’s earlier pledges to assist in Gaza’s reconstruction, which had also drawn complaints from the same opposition circles.
One widely liked reply read:
“Astaghfirullah… Walaun lupa ke ustaz kecik dorang pun pernah ditahan? Siapa yang berunding untuk bebaskan dia? Susah payah PMX uruskan pembebasan mereka… dasar walaun busuk hati tak kenang budi.”
(Translation: “Have the Walaun forgotten that their own young ustaz were once detained? Who negotiated their release? PMX worked hard to secure their freedom… yet these foul-hearted people show no gratitude.”)
Another user added:
“Ingat tak dulu PMX kata nak bantu bangunkan semula Gaza? Yang merentan komplen puak-puak walaun ni jugak. Diorang ni zionis ke apa hati busuk sangat?”
(Translation: “Remember when PMX offered to help rebuild Gaza? The same Walaun groups complained back then too. Are they Zionists or just that black-hearted?”)
As of Friday night, the original X post had garnered over 9,800 views, 108 likes, and dozens of replies reflecting deep partisan divisions even on the issue of Palestine solidarity.
The Sumud Nusantara initiative, which involves participants from Malaysia and nine other Southeast Asian countries, continues to symbolise Malaysia’s strong public stance against the Gaza crisis. With the 10 Malaysians now safely released, attention has turned to whether they will rejoin the flotilla or return home, a decision that rests with the SNCC and the Global Sumud Flotilla steering committee.
About The Author
