The Association for Welfare, Community and Dialogue is a puzzled about the polemics of the DAP, the MCA and Perikatan Nasional (PN) on the visit by Taliban officials from Afghanistan.
This comes after DAP chairperson Lim Guan Eng called on Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek to explain the visit, raising concerns about the lack of public disclosure and the implications for human rights.
The MCA’s polemics were about how Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh could be in the dark about his ministry hosting officials from Afghanistan’s Taliban-run government.
Meanwhile, PN reasoned that the visit was a strategic opportunity for Malaysia to play a meaningful role in guiding Afghanistan towards positive change, particularly in terms of education and women’s rights.
While both sides of the political divide raised critical points of human rights, transparency and diplomacy, the reality is they seem to be proclaiming half-truths on these issues to suit a particular constituency rather than addressing concerns holistically.
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Today, in our national and global context, the slogan of human rights and democracy is used in a selective manner that is in line with the domestic and strategic interest of governments around the world rather than addressing real violations that have a complex dimension.
For example, while Israel is criticised by Malaysia for its genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza, Malaysian government leaders and the DAP in particular have been circumspect in criticising the US, the ironclad protector of Israel.
Is this not about strategic and diplomatic interests that tend to pick and choose who to criticise?
The oppression of the Rohingya from Myanmar has been squarely blamed on the military junta there. Yet there is no criticism of China and India, which support the regime diplomatically and economically.
Is this not because economic interests seem to transcend the concern for human rights?
What is clearly understood here is the hypocrisy of the governing and opposition elites in Malaysia, whose pursuit of human rights is half-baked. This works well for sectarian politics because it indulges in half-truths.
Due to the complexity of reasons for human rights abuses around the world, it is always vital to engage with all parties so that various dimensions of the context of human rights abuses can be explored and fundamental violations addressed through the principles of common humanity.
This means even engaging with oppressive regimes, as the common people in these regimes require their voices to be heard.
Issues ranging from women’s right to education, children’s rights, war, terrorism, imperial subjugation of nations and authoritarian rule should be addressed without a pick-and-choose mentality.
There should not be a condescending attitude; all parties should listen to the complex reality of a nation that is undergoing various manipulations by vested interests.
Therefore, the Malaysian government’s engagement with the Taliban officials should transcend the sectarian interests of ethno-religious politics by addressing complex dimensions of oppression in the country.
It is not just about women’s right to education but also a nation that has been under foreign occupation and a senseless war.
The common people of Afghanistan who have suffered from war and destruction deserve a fair and just hearing of their predicament that goes beyond the so-called interest of Taliban officials. – Focus Malaysia
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
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