KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysian political parties should educate themselves on what the Taliban has done to the people of Afghanistan before aligning themselves with the Islamist regime.
“Countries need to learn from whatever that is happening to Afghanistan and avoid it,” said a spokesman for Afghan refugees in Malaysia.
“For (Malaysian) political parties that want to have some kind of unity with the Taliban, I urge them to find out what the Taliban has done to Afghanistan.
“This will be a good lesson for all countries. What happened in Afghanistan could happen anywhere, so it’s best to learn from it and avoid it.”
The spokesman, who wished to remain anonymous, said he worked for an Afghan government institution before fleeing to Malaysia in 2016 with family members after Taliban-linked individuals threatened their safety.
The Taliban cannot be trusted, he said, pointing to the group’s track record on human rights abuses.
For the past 20 years since the fighting began, Afghans have had a very bad experience with the Taliban regime. The Afghan people experienced murder, kidnapping and suicide attacks.”
This is why it is crucial for Malaysian officials and Putrajaya to tread carefully in how they deal with Afghanistan, he said.
“Many countries have yet to recognise the Taliban. I urge the Malaysian government to first see if the Afghan people are happy and only then consider recognising the Taliban government.
“If they are not happy, then don’t.”
The comments come after a congratulatory message to the Taliban by Batu Buruk assemblyman Muhammad Khalil Abdul Hadi, the son of PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang.
“Congratulations on your success in achieving ‘independence’ from the grip of ‘colonisation’ and ‘inhumane intrusion’. With this win, it is hoped that all stakeholders will work together and attain a consensus on peace in an effort to rebuild Afghanistan.
“This win and independence are achieved due to the work of its people to liberate their country that was ‘colonised’ for 20 years and almost destroyed.”
Khalil, who is also PAS’ international affairs and external relations committee chief, said this in a statement published on Wednesday in party mouthpiece Harakahdaily.
Following the Taliban’s capture of Kabul on Sunday, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani left the country.
The group’s fighters took control of Afghanistan on the heels of the withdrawal of United States troops from the country to end America’s longest war. – The Vibes, August 21, 2021
