PETALING JAYA, Feb 22 — Malaysia is not sending the humanitarian mission to Kabul, Afghanistan to recognise the Taliban government but to ensure that the Afghan people receive the necessary assistance during their time of need, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah.
“We are monitoring its development closely, there are parameters set by the United Nations (UN), the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and also the Malaysian government before we recognise the Afghan government.
“…but we have yet to recognise the government, its people are suffering and need help, that is what we are doing,” he told a press conference on Malaysia’s humanitarian aid mission to Afghanistan at the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (LTSAAS), here today.
The special flight carrying humanitarian relief aid and 12 volunteers including media practitioners will depart today and is expected to reach Kabul on Feb 23.
The flight will transport five tonnes of humanitarian relief aid in the form of various necessities such as winter clothing, jackets, blankets, milk powder for the needy people and children of Afghanistan.
Afghanistan continues to be in turmoil after the Taliban overthrew Mohammad Ashraf Ghani’s government in mid-August following the withdrawal of US troops from the country after 20 years of occupation.
