KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Ahmad Azam Ab Rahman, commissioner to the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), has been appointed Wisma Putra's special adviser on Afghanistan.
In announcing this, Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said Azam’s experience and networking will help Wisma Putra to obtain first-hand information on Afghanistan.
“Currently other than providing information and advice, he also helps Wisma Putra to facilitate humanitarian efforts by Malaysian NGOs.
“Looking at the prevailing uncertainties, it is crucial for us to keep in contact with reliable sources. This is where Azam has an upper hand.
“This is very important so that we have the proper understanding on the latest developments. Wisma Putra will definitely be utilising many sources, but his experience and networking will help us to obtain additional important information,” he said.
He announced the appointment at the KL Conference on Afghanistan: Re-Emergence of a Nation held virtually on Sunday.
The event was jointly organised by Global Peace Mission (GPM) Malaysia and Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia. Azam is also the chairman of GPM.
Malaysia will continue to monitor the political developments in Afghanistan closely and build on its own understanding to help in reconstructing the war-torn country. Malaysia should not be influenced by the Western narratives on the situation in Afghanistan, said Saifuddin.
“We need to have our own understanding on what is happening in Afghanistan today, what happened in the past and how we move forward,” he said.
The Malaysian government has also repeatedly stated that peace negotiation, reconstruction and rebuilding of Afghanistan should be Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Aghan-controlled.
“I believe it is the Afghanistan people who know best what needs to be done, they know better their history, their problems and challenges. The new reality they face and the way forward.
“Malaysia, the ummah and the peace-loving citizens of the world must show our support and solidarity and try our best to give whatever assistance possible to the Afghan people,” Saifuddin said.
The foreign minister said that although Malaysia has yet to recognise the new Kabul government, it is committed to assist Afghanistan in humanitarian aid, as well as reconstruction and rebuilding of the country.
He said Malaysia also continues to work with the United Nations (UN), OIC, and non-profit organisations such as Mercy Malaysia and GPM to provide humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan.
He said Malaysia had so far pledged US$100,000 (RM418,800) to the UN for that purpose.
Saifuddin also encouraged Malaysian businesses to look for opportunities in Afghanistan, adding that he was made to understand currently two Malaysian companies have been invited to do some early repairs and maintenance there.
He said prior to this, Malaysia had also helped in capacity building of the Afghan people through the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme, where 617 government officials have been trained since 2002, in various disciplines such as administration, taxation and finance. – Bernama, September 26, 2021
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