KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia supports the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) collective stand to strengthen its commitment to Afghanistan, made through the emergency meeting of the OIC executive committee on August 22 in Jeddah, said Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Kamarudin Jaffar.
Kamarudin said the OIC’s stand was stated in the resolutions adopted at the OIC Summit and the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting.
He said the stand, among others, highlighted the international community’s hope for the new leadership in Afghanistan to promote national peace and adhere to international law and resolutions as well as the United Nations charter.
“It also outlines the importance of protecting and respecting the right to life, security, and dignity of the people of Afghanistan in complying with the Universal Declaration on Human Rights,” he said in response to a question from Senator Datuk Paul Igai at the Dewan Negara sitting here today.
Paul wanted to know Malaysia’s stand on the latest developments in Afghanistan after the Taliban took control of the country.
Kamarudin said overall, the OIC member states had agreed to give their full support to the people of Afghanistan in achieving comprehensive reconciliation, lasting peace, and stability.
“The OIC is also focusing on channelling humanitarian aid to the Afghan people and therefore, the government has agreed to extend financial assistance of US$100,000 (RM418,450) to Afghanistan.
“This matter was informed during the virtual UN High-Level Ministerial Meeting on the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, chaired by the UN secretary-general on September 13,” he said.
Kamarudin added that Malaysia had always held that the government in Afghanistan should be based on an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned, and Afghan-controlled peace and reconciliation process. – Bernama, October 6, 2021
