“Taliban Are Not Terrorists” MP Suggests To Educate Public On Islamists In Malaysia

The Hulu Langat Member of Parliament (MP), Hassanuddin Mohd Yunus has in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday (22 November) called for the government to voice support for the Taliban and to do more speak for the Islamic militants.

During the questioning time, Hassanuddin asked about Malaysia’s role in educating Malaysians that the Taliban is not a terrorist organisation.

“Many people view the Taliban in a negative light. It is not important what is right or wrong. How can we teach the public that the Taliban are not terrorists?” he said.

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YB Hulu Langat, Datuk Hasanuddin Mohd Yunus berkata banyak persepsi buruk terhadap Taliban. Beliau bertanya bagaimana peranan Malaysia untuk didik mereka agar tidak terus dilihat sebagai pengganas.#AWANInews#SisiTVParlimen#DewanRakyat pic.twitter.com/yvoBDNhSCh

— 🇲🇾Astro AWANI🇲🇾 (@501Awani) November 22, 2021

In response, the Deputy Foreign Minister Kamarudin Jaffar said the Malaysian government has been in contact with the Afghanistan’s Taliban leaders through its embassy in Qatar.

He said the Federal Government saw it necessary to remain in touch with the militant group, and hopes to play a role in guiding the Afghanistan the path that respects fundamental rights of all its citizens, especially women.

“This is so we can ensure they establish a government that respects the fundamental rights of all Afghan citizens from the democratic perspective and also women’s rights.” he added.

According to Malay Mail, the Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah in September said Malaysia would back a peaceful solution and conveyed hope that the Taliban would pave the way for an inclusive “Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled” government.

However, there were two voices from the lawmakers from within the ruling coalition, where some supported for the Taliban, while the remaining disagreed.

It was the conservative members how have been pushing for the Putrajaya to recognise the Taliban government but they faced strong opposition from their moderate counterparts, with many remained skeptical about the group’s pledges to be more inclusive.

As of October, there were no country who has formally recognised the Taliban government since their took over in August.

Just recently, the Taliban banned dramas starring female actresses. Women have also been prohibited from going to school and work indefinitely. 

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