According to Bernama, foreign minister Saifuddin Abdullah said that Putrajaya was following events in the country very closely, particularly in Kabul.
“We have received reports from various sectors and will soon be making our stand.
“As far as we are concerned, as of today, we are still making our assessment on the situation in Afghanistan,” he was quoted by the national news agency as saying.
The Taliban recently came back to power after foreign forces withdrew from Afghanistan following a deal with Washington, some two decades after US forces removed the militants from power in 2001.
A few days ago, Barisan Nasional (BN) said any recognition of the Taliban can only be considered in line with the stand of the international community.
“The Malaysian government must follow the tenets and principles of international relationships that we have held over the years in recognising any government or regime. There can be no special exemption in the case of the Taliban,” BN’s secretary-general Zambry Abdul Kadir said.
On a separate matter, Saifuddin said his immediate task would be to establish the foreign policy framework for the new administration that will serve as a guide for Malaysia’s direction, focus and approaches on foreign policy.
Saifuddin said the foreign policy framework was in line with the prime minister’s directive for a productive first 100 days in office.
“It is not a new foreign policy. The central theme is ‘focus on continuity’,” he told reporters after his first meeting with the ministry’s heads of department today.
Saifuddin also announced that he would establish a foreign policy consultative council that will include the ministry’s officials, academicians, businessmen and civil society representatives.
The committee will comprise at least 15 members, with the first meeting to be held this Friday.
Apart from this, he will also propose the establishment of a Parliamentary Select Committee on International Affairs.
“We at (the) foreign ministry will adopt an open and consultative (shura) approach with all stakeholders, be it at home or overseas,” he said.