COMMISSIONER to the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Ahmad Azam Ab Rahman has been appointed as the Foreign Ministry’s special advisor on Afghanistan.

Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah said Azam’s experience and network 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 non-governmental groups.

“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 today. The event was jointly organised by Global Peace Malaysia (GPM) and Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia. Azam is also the chairman of GPM.

He said 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,” he added.

“We need to have our own understanding of what is happening in Afghanistan today, what happened in the past and how do we move forward,” he said.

The Malaysian government had also repeatedly stated that peace negotiation and the reconstruction and rebuilding of Afghanistan should be Afghan-led, owned and controlled.

“I believed 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.

“While we Malaysia, the ummah and the peace-loving citizens of the world must show our support and solidarity and try our level best to give whatever assistance possible to the Afghan people,” he said.

The foreign minister said that although Malaysia has yet to recognise the new Kabul government, it is committed to assisting Afghanistan in humanitarian aid as well as to reconstruction and rebuilding the country.

He said Malaysia also continues to work with the United Nations and the 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 (RM 419,000) to the UN for that purpose.

Saifuddin also encouraged Malaysian businesses to look for opportunities in Afghanistan, adding he was made to understand that two Malaysian companies had been invited to do some early repairs and maintenance there.

He added that prior to this, Malaysia had also helped in capacity building 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.