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In announcing this, foreign minister Saifuddin Abdullah said Azam’s experience and networking could 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 proper understanding of the latest developments. Definitely, Wisma Putra will be utilising many sources but his experience and networking will help us to obtain additional important information.”
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 Mission (GPM) Malaysia and the Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (Abim). Azam is also the chairman of GPM.
Saifuddin said Malaysia would continue to monitor political developments in Afghanistan closely, and provide assistance in the reconstruction of the war-torn country.
Malaysia should also not be influenced by Western narratives on the situation in Afghanistan, he said.
“We need to have our own understanding of what is happening in Afghanistan today, what happened in the past and how we can move forward,” he said.
The government has repeatedly stated that peace negotiations, reconstruction and rebuilding of Afghanistan should be Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled.
“I believe it is the Afghanistan people who know best what needs to be done. They know better their history, their problems or challenges, the new reality they face and the way forward.
“We in 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 was committed to assisting Afghanistan with humanitarian aid as well as in reconstruction and rebuilding the country.
He said Malaysia also continued to work with the United Nations, 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 (RM419,000) to the UN for that purpose.
Saifuddin also encouraged Malaysian businesses to look for opportunities in Afghanistan, adding he was made to understand that currently two Malaysian companies have been invited to do some early repair and maintenance work there.
He added that previously, 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.
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