For a journalist, some tasks are routine, while others involve responsibility.
For Ahmad Aidil Syukri Hamzah, his participation within the Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0 media delegation definitely suits into the latter option.
“This shouldn’t be only a reporting exercise. It is a mandate to make sure that the voice of Malaysians can reach on to the Rafah border crossing.”
There’s a measured conviction in the best way Aidil talks in regards to the mission. It doesn’t position the media as passive observers, but as energetic carriers of truth; ensuring that Malaysia’s long-standing call for justice in Gaza is known beyond its borders.
“Our role,” he explained, “is to ensure that Malaysia’s narrative of struggle – the determination of its people and its leadership – is clearly understood by the world.”
A mandate beyond reporting
Aidil believes that in a time when competing narratives and external propaganda can overshadow reality, the responsibility of journalists becomes much more critical.
“We must ensure exclusivity and facts directly from the ground so that international pressure on Israel remains consistent,” he said.
However, the idealism of the mission is matched by the truth it brings.
Cold weather, uncertainty on the pitch and the inherent risk should not indifferent to him. Nevertheless, it enjoys trust due to the coordination between the Office of the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Wisma Putra, and relevant agencies.
“Fear is normal,” he admitted. “But the obligation to report the suffering of the people of Gaza is much greater.”
But what impresses him most shouldn’t be just the conflict itself, however the changing global response.
Aidil spoke of meetings with activists across Europe – lots of whom are non-Muslim and a few from countries traditionally allied with Israel – who’ve now been reduced to tears and demands for motion on behalf of Palestine.
For him, this implies a breakthrough. This reflects how Malaysia’s people-centric diplomacy has begun to transcend religious and geopolitical boundaries.
“This mission shouldn’t be symbolic,” he emphasized. “It’s not selfish or performative. It incorporates a transparent ultimatum.”
From humanitarian operations on land in Rafah to maritime movements within the Mediterranean, Malaysia is on the forefront of coordinated relief efforts.
For Aidil, that is proof that even a comparatively small nation can exert significant influence when guided by unity and clarity of purpose.
Bear witness through the lens
While Aidil conveys the narrative through words, Zulfadhli Zulkifli, the cameraman accompanying the delegation, conveys it through images – shaped by years of experience and a deeply rooted sense of responsibility.
He admits that there are specific moments that can’t be missed.
“The most memorable photo I took was during the Batang Kali landslide in 2022. Emergency personnel were carrying two bodies – one adult and one child.”
He didn’t explain further. He didn’t must.
For Zulfadhli, every photo begins long before the shutter button is pressed. It starts with observing the environment, understanding the situation and waiting patiently – for the precise moment. Only then does he take a shot.
However, technical precision alone shouldn’t be enough. There are ethical lines I don’t desire to cross.
“I had moments of hesitation,” he said, especially in situations involving individuals with families.
“I would still take a photo, but from behind or in a way that doesn’t reveal their identity or embarrass them.”
It is a silent but unwavering principle – that dignity should be maintained, even within the pursuit of truth.
Interestingly, he has no difficulty returning to the photographs he has captured.
Each photo, he said, is something he sticks with since it has been fastidiously considered from the very starting. More importantly, each image serves a purpose.
“I make sure that a single photo can raise awareness for those who view it,” he said.
In places like Rafah, words and pictures aren’t any longer just elements of reportage. They develop into testimony. They develop into pressure. And in some ways they develop into a type of responsibility.
For Aidil and Zulfadhli, this journey shouldn’t be about visibility or recognition. The point is that the world cannot look away.
In doing so, they carry with them a quiet but unwavering belief that even a Malaysian voice, irrespective of how small it could seem, can still resonate on the worldwide stage.
