Although indicating that Malaysia had yet to recognise the Taliban government, Saifuddin said Putrajaya was encouraging the private sector to explore investment and trade opportunities in Afghanistan.

In a written reply to Oscar Ling (PH-Sibu), Saifuddin said Malaysia had merely begun engaging with stakeholders in Afghanistan, as other countries had done.

He said Hadi’s working visit was aimed at strengthening Malaysia’s role in arriving at the best solutions to the issues faced by Afghanistan, particularly its deteriorating humanitarian and economic situation.

“Prime Minister (Ismail Sabri Yaakob) consented to Hadi’s working visit from Jan 31 to Feb 4.

“As the prime minister’s special envoy to the Middle East, Hadi’s role, apart from ensuring that Malaysia’s strategic interests in the region continue to be preserved, is also to strengthen our relations with other countries, including Afghanistan,” he said.

Saifuddin said Malaysia intended to continue monitoring Afghanistan’s development as the country entered its seventh month under the rule of the Taliban.

He said Malaysian NGOs had been in Kabul and other provinces in Afghanistan since the United States and its allies withdrew on Aug 31 last year.

“Malaysia is ready to work with the international community for Afghanistan’s development when the situation permits.

“At the same time, we want to encourage our private sector to explore investment and trade opportunities in Afghanistan in infrastructure, mining, agriculture, telecommunications and Islamic banking,” he said.

Earlier, Amanah deputy president Salahuddin Ayub criticised Hadi for meeting with Afghan representatives, which he described as hasty and pre-empted the Cabinet’s decision on recognising the Taliban government.

“It seems that Hadi is in a hurry to exceed his authority before the Cabinet has made any decision on the matter,” he had said in a statement.

Salahuddin, who also chairs Amanah’s international bureau, had also asked why Hadi had chosen to pay attention to Afghanistan, which he said was not located in the Middle East.