PETALING JAYA: Investigations are being held into a container suspected of carrying goods bound for Israel after it was detained at Tanjung Pelepas port in Johor, the border control and protection agency (AKPS) said today.

The agency said the container was inspected yesterday following intelligence it received on the shipment. Preliminary checks found that the shipment may have breached an order which prohibits goods from being exported directly or indirectly to Israel.

Further investigations will be held to verify the nature, specifications, intended use and classification of the goods, the agency said in a statement today. Investigators would also determine whether the items were subject to trade controls laws.

The Strategic Trade Act 2010 regulates the export of sensitive technology and materials in order to combat terrorism, nuclear proliferation, and the spread of weapons of mass destruction.

The agency said stern action would be taken against any attempt to export goods directly or indirectly to Israel in violation of Malaysian laws and government policy. Malaysia does not have diplomatic ties with Israel.