Guan Eng's remark on Taliban delegates gives country bad image - PN

The opposition today expressed regret over Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng's statement questioning the Education Ministry for hosting officials from the Taliban-led Afghanistan government.

Opposition chief whip Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said Lim's statement gave the country a bad image.

"We support the education minister in providing expertise and knowledge to develop Afghanistan, just as Malaysia provides the same assistance to countries that have just achieved independence.

"We also welcome the steps taken to establish cooperation with Afghanistan in the education sector, in which we believe our country is ahead.

“The Bagan MP does not need to give Malaysia a negative image in the eyes of the world,” the PAS deputy president said in a press conference at Parliament today.

Yesterday, Lim requested Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek to explain why her ministry hosted the delegation, considering the Taliban’s stance on women’s higher education.

The DAP national chairperson said Fadhlina’s deputy Wong Kah Woh, who is also from DAP, was unaware of the delegation’s visit.

Last Saturday (Nov 16), Fadhlina confirmed a visit from the delegation which took place earlier this month.

A report from the Radio Television of Afghanistan said the country’s Education Ministry director-general Shahabuddin Saqib led the delegation.

‘Strengthen ties with Afghanistan’

However, Tuan Ibrahim, who is also the Kubang Kerian MP, suggested that Malaysia establish informal or de facto relations with countries that have not been recognised.

He pointed to the presence of legally appointed Afghan ambassadors here in Malaysia, despite Malaysia not having a formal relationship with the country.

"Although Malaysia does not have an ambassador in Kabul yet, they (Afghanistan) have relations with Malaysia.

"As a Muslim country, we should help our friends who have achieved independence.

"We urge the Malaysian government to strengthen relations with the Afghan government that has been officially elected by the people of that country," he said.

The new government in Afghanistan has established relations with many other countries, Tuan Ibrahim added.

“Therefore, Malaysia should re-evaluate its stance.”

It is noted that Afghanistan has not held an election since the Taliban asserted control of its government in 2021, after the withdrawal of US troops.

In March last year, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia was ready to cooperate and improve ties with Afghanistan.

However, he asserted that Malaysia stands firm in its commitment towards women’s education.

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