AS more Malaysian leaders seek the Government’s stand on the Taliban-led Afghanistan Government, a Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) leader urged Putrajaya to clear misconception over the radical group.
At the Dewan Rakyat yesterday, Kuala Langat MP Datuk Hasanuddin Mohd Yunus urged the Government to raise awareness among the public on the group, claiming they were misunderstood.
“There is a lot of perception on the Taliban. Right or wrong aside, what steps are we taking so that the people will not see them as a terror group.
“And what can we do to educate the Taliban so that they can bring peace to the world?” he queried.
To this, Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Kamarudin Jaffar replied that Malaysia has strong ties with the Afghan Government as the former has been providing aid to the latter for the past 20 years.
With that, he also said that Malaysia has sent a delegation in September, via Global Peace Malaysia, to meet the Taliban leadership.
“And our embassy in Qatar is in touch with the Taliban and we have urged them to govern Afghanistan by respecting human rights, especially women’s rights,” the Bandar Tun Razak MP was reported saying.
However, Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman and several netizens were unimpressed with the duo’s points.
“Why are we discussing about Taliban in our Parliament? Kita ada banyak lagi isu-isu rakyat yang perlu dibahaskan! (We have our own domestic issues to be resolved)
“Why should our government play a role with the Taliban? Are we supporting them?” the former youth and sports minister asked.
User David Wong echoed Syed Saddiq’s sentiments, adding:
Netizen Sam had a cheeky retort, saying:
Ever since the Taliban took over the Afghan Government following US forces’ withdrawal, several Malaysian leaders especially from PAS have been calling Putrajaya to recognise them.
In August, PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang defended the Taliban, saying the group has changed its mindset since the 1990s.
Last month, PAS Youth chief Khairil Nizam Khirudin questioned Putrajaya on its reluctance to legitimise Taliban rule when China itself had recognised them.
This is about international relations, Saddiq
Meanwhile, several other netizens defended Hasanuddin and Kamarudin, adding the leaders were just talking about international affairs, which falls under the latter’s jurisdiction.
(What’s wrong with you, Saddiq? The question was posed to the relevant ministry. Don’t tell me the Foreign Affairs Ministry is supposed to answer question about national finances and SPM roster. When you were assailed with question over corruption at the Youth and Sports Ministry, you were struggling to answer them and went on a denial mode)
User Luqman Hakim remarked:
(This is a question about Malaysia-Afghanistan diplomatic ties, where we have bilateral relationship with them regardless of who is in charge. This question is aptly asked to the Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister as it was his job. Don’t simply oppose everything or risk looking like a fool, Saddiq) – Nov 23, 2021.
