WITH Taliban now in control of Afghanistan, Barisan Nasional (BN) urged the Government to establish communication with the radical group’s emissary in Doha, Qatar and only consider recognising the regime based on international protocols.
“The Malaysian Government must follow protocols and basic principles of maintaining international relationship, which we have practiced so far in recognising an administration or a regime. The Taliban is no exception to it.
“This will also help us channel humanitarian aid to Afghanistan with less hassle, if the situation arises,” its secretary general Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir said, in a statement.
With the US forces withdrawing from Afghanistan, the Taliban moved in literally without any resistance from the Afghan army, seizing control over the country in less than two weeks.
Taliban’s cakewalk to power caused Aghan citizens to panic, triggering overcrowding at the Kabul airport who desperately wanting to leave the country.
Unsurprisingly, PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang defended the Taliban, saying the radical group has “changed” and blamed Western media for painting a negative picture over them.
He added that Taliban had issued mass pardons to those who worked with the US and allowed “liberals” to flee the country. However, international media agencies have reported that the Taliban is already targetting those who worked with the US forces.
M’sia should lead
On Thursday, the problem escalated after Taliban’s rival, Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K) launched a suicide attack at the airport, killing 13 US soldiers and scores of civilians.
The US today retaliated by launching a drone strike against those responsible for the attacks, with US President Joe Biden vowing not to spare anyone behind the suicide bombing.
On that note, Zambry urged the Government to call for a special sitting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to address the situation in Afghanistan.
Being a respected Islamic country practicing neutrality, the former Perak Menteri Besar opined that Malaysia has its own clout to establish a consensus within OIC to address the plight of Afghan people.
“And I hope that the situation in Afghanistan would stabilise soon so that its people can live in peace and prosper,” he remarked. – Aug 28, 2021.
