Just a language fan?: Pensioner says Hebrew sticker meant no harm, means ‘Malaysia Our Home’

Just a language fan?: Pensioner says Hebrew sticker meant no harm, means ‘Malaysia Our Home’



A picture of the Isuzu 4WD with a Hebrew-language sticker on its tailgate spotted on the highway near Sepang, went viral on the internet, drawing confusion and outrage in Malaysia. — Picture from X/Afqfkr

Thursday, 09 Oct 2025 4:38 PM MYT


MELAKA, Oct 9 — A 59-year-old man whose four-wheel drive went viral for displaying a Hebrew sticker that purportedly reads “Malaysia Our Home” has asserted that he meant no harm and was simply fascinated by foreign languages.

Melaka police chief Datuk Dzulkhairi Mukhtar said the retired civil servant told investigators he ordered the sticker from a shop in Selangor some 13 years ago, Sinar Harian reported today.

“He said he was inspired by the Hebrew phrase ‘Israel Betainu’, which means ‘Israel Our Home’, and decided to modify it to ‘Malizia Beiteinu’, or ‘Malaysia Our Home’,” Dzulkhairi was quoted as saying in a press conference here.

The retiree explained that he has long been interested in different writing systems, including Greek and Russian, and had no political or religious intentions behind using Hebrew.


Dzulkhairi said police have recorded the man’s statement and are consulting language experts to confirm there are no hidden meanings in the phrase.

According to Sinar Harian, the retiree went to the police after the video of his vehicle spread on social media earlier this week.

The clip showed an Isuzu 4WD with a Hebrew-language sticker on its rear window, which drew public anger and confusion online.


Hairul Amin Madon, the religious officer to the Melaka chief minister had also filed a police report, saying the phrase could be misinterpreted as “Malaysia belongs to us” — a sensitive message amid the ongoing Gaza conflict.

Dzulkhairi urged the public not to post inflammatory comments or make assumptions about the case.

Police are investigating the matter under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code for causing public alarm and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for improper network use.