
YB DATO’ SERI MOHAMED KHALED BIN NORDIN
Menteri Pertahanan
Pejabat Menteri Pertahanan
NADZEEM ABDUL RAHMAN
Executive Director, NATSEC 2026
nadzeem@dsaexhibition.com
Tel: +6019 244 1418
MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT: Objection to Participation of Defence Companies Named by UN Rapporteur for Human Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories as Complicit in Genocide in Gaza
1. Purpose
This memorandum formally registers a strong objection to the planned or continued participation of certain defence companies (see attached list) in the upcoming security expo, specifically but not limited to those identified by the United Nations Special Rapporteur as being complicit in acts constituting genocide in Gaza.
2. Background
The UN Special Rapporteur has issued a formal report naming specific defence companies whose weapons, technology, or logistical support have been used in violations of international humanitarian law and the Genocide Convention in the context of military operations in Gaza. These findings are grounded in documented evidence of civilian casualties, destruction of critical infrastructure, and denial of humanitarian access.
3. Legal and Ethical Concerns
4. Reputational and Operational Risks
We strongly urge you to:
Continuing to involve defence companies named by the UN Rapporteur as complicit in genocide in Gaza violates ethical obligations, damages Malaysia’s reputation and risks legal consequences. We urge swift action to disassociate your expo from such entities.
Companies Listed By UN Rapporteur Francesca Albanese and BDS That Are Participating
| Company Name | In the Updated DSA 2026 List (March 31) | BDS / UN Status & Involvement |
| Lockheed Martin | Exhibitor No. 1010 (USA, Stand 3700F). | UN Status: Extensively cited by UN human rights experts and the Special Rapporteur as a primary supplier of military equipment (such as F-35 fighter jets and Hellfire missiles) to the Israeli military. BDS Status: A primary global target for institutional divestment campaigns due to its direct role in arming the IDF. |
| Leonardo SpA & Leonardo DRS | Exhibitor No. 435 (Italy, Stand 7300G). Subsidiary Leonardo DRS is Exhibitor No. 1007 (USA, Stand 3700D). | UN Status: Named in Albanese’s report for collaborating on militarising heavy machinery (like Caterpillar D9 bulldozers) into remote-controlled weaponry. BDS Status: Targeted as a priority for manufacturing and supplying weapons and military components to Israel. |
| Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD Hyundai) | Exhibitors No. 773 & 775 (South Korea, Stand 10320). Subsidiary HYUNDAI WIA CORP is No. 777 (Stand 4200D). | UN Status: Identified for supplying heavy machinery utilised in the systematic destruction of Palestinian homes and illegal settlement construction. BDS Status: Targeted for the same supply of heavy machinery and equipment used in home demolitions. |
| Motorola Solutions | Exhibitor No. 573 (Malaysia, Stand 10622) and No. 717 (Singapore). | UN Status: Listed on the UN Human Rights Council database of companies involved in illegal settlements. BDS Status: A major institutional divestment target for providing surveillance systems, communications technology, and security infrastructure to the IDF and illegal settlements. |
| L3Harris Technologies | Exhibitor No. 1003, 1004, 1005 (USA, Stand 3700F) , No. 31 (Australia) , and No. 850 (Thailand). | BDS Status: A prominent institutional divestment target for supplying vital components integrated into weapons systems (such as guidance kits for JDAM bombs) used by the Israeli military. |
| Rheinmetall | Exhibitor No. 360 (Naval Systems, Germany) and No. 812 (Expal Munitions S.A.U, Spain, Stand 5250). | BDS Status: The German parent company is explicitly named on the BDS priority list for institutional pressure and divestment due to its role in manufacturing weapons and artillery for the Israeli military. |
| NAMMO | Exhibitors No. 663 & 664 (Norway, Stand 6319). | BDS Status: The Norwegian-Finnish aerospace and defence group is named on the BDS priority target list for institutional divestment, cited as a company implicated in arming the Israeli military. |
| ThyssenKrupp (TKMS) | Exhibitor No. 366 (Germany, Stand 6624B). | BDS Status: ThyssenKrupp is listed by the BDS movement as a priority military and defence target for institutional divestment due to its supply of naval vessels and submarines to Israel. |
Date: 20th April 2026
LIST OF NGOS