PAS’ Khalil deletes tweet lauding Taliban, to avoid social media ban
PAS International Affairs and External Relations Committee chairperson Mohd Khalil Abdul Hadi deleted a tweet congratulating the newly established Taliban-led government of Afghanistan for successfully achieving victory for their homeland from what it calls “the clutches of inhumane colonialism”.
The tweet was up for two hours but has been deleted, not long after it was first...
PAS International Affairs and External Relations Committee chairperson Mohd Khalil Abdul Hadi deleted a tweet congratulating the newly established Taliban-led government of Afghanistan for successfully achieving victory for their homeland from what it calls “the clutches of inhumane colonialism”.
The tweet was up for two hours but has been deleted, not long after it was first highlighted by Malaysiakini.
It was deleted by Khalil after the same statement was removed by another social media platform, Facebook, for breaching community standards, a PAS officer said.
Khalil was also temporarily banned from posting on Facebook, as a result.
“As such, we decided to retract the same postings made on other social media platforms, to avoid being blocked by other platforms,” the PAS International Affairs and Foreign Relations committee secretary Khidir Izaidin said in a statement.
He added that the committee will hold a programme on the “Afghanistan issue” in the near future.
Although deleted off social media platforms, the congratulatory message by Khalil is still up on the party's Harakah Daily website.
In his post Khalil had said:
“The victory and ‘independence’ achieved this time is the result of the efforts of all Afghans in an effort to liberate their homeland which for 20 years has been colonised and invaded without mercy and humanity to the point of almost destroying Afghanistan.
“With this victory, it is hoped that all stakeholders will work together and reach an agreement to make peace and work to redevelop and put Afghanistan back on track.
“May the new government of Afghanistan and its people work together to develop Afghanistan and achieve prosperity, peace and progress after this based on the syariah and comprehensive Islamic values as well as receive the blessings, blessings and help of Allah SWT,” he had said.
Khalil is also Batu Buruk state assemblyperson and son of party president Abdul Hadi Awang.
Taliban insurgents returned to power in Kabul on Monday after a military advance across Afghanistan as US-led forces departed, and Western nations stepped up efforts to evacuate their citizens from the capital.
President Ashraf Ghani fled the country on Sunday as the militants entered the city, saying he wanted to avoid bloodshed.
Many Afghans fear the Taliban will return to past harsh practices in their imposition of syariah or Islamic religious law.
During their 1996-2001 rule, women could not work and punishments such as stoning, whipping and hanging were administered.
The Taliban were toppled by a US-led invasion during the presidency of US president George W Bush following the deadly Sept 11, 2001 terror attacks.
This time around, the militants are seeking to project a more moderate face, promising to respect women’s rights and protect both foreigners and Afghans.
Report this comment
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
This action cannot be undone.