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Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah has stated that the Malaysian government has yet to formally recognise the Taliban

He made the announcement in a parliamentary reply at the Dewan Rakyat yesterday, 21 September.

“The issue of acceptance (by the people) is closely related to the issue of legitimacy,” Saifuddin was quoted as saying by The Malaysian Reserve.

“This house is well aware of how the Taliban was able to take control of Afghanistan after the US and international troops retreated in August 2021.”

Saifuddin also remarked that the Taliban government is not recognised by any countries at this time, including Afghanistan’s neighbours.

Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah in Parliament on 21 September.
Image via Bernama

Saifuddin said that they are taking a cautious approach

According to Bernama, Saifuddin said several factors will be considered moving forward, including the level of acceptance of the government by the Afghan people.

“Secondly, we find that the interim government formed by the Taliban is still not inclusive as it does not include participation of other ethnic groups, as well as on the role of women and girls,” he said.

Despite the denunciation, the minister maintains Malaysia’s stance that any government there must follow a peaceful national reconciliation process that is Afghan-led, Afghan-owned, and Afghan-controlled.

Saifuddin also revealed that Malaysia has pledged USD100,000 (approximately RM420,000) of financial assistance to Afghanistan via the United Nations’ (UN) humanitarian organisations.

Image via AP/The Indian Express

The minister also revealed that the two Malaysians in Afghanistan are safe

Saifuddin said that the duo have recently reported their whereabouts to the Malaysian High Commission in neighbouring New Delhi, India.

He said they have chosen to stay due to their service under international humanitarian organisations, namely the Norwegian Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

Read our explainer on the events in the aftermath of the Taliban takeover here:

Earlier, Saifuddin’s cabinet cohort Zuraida Kamarudin had offered her expertise to the Taliban to teach them about “women empowerment”:

Malaysia has welcomed many Afghan refugees over the years.

Read how Picha Project is helping them start over using food: