PETALING JAYA: The purpose of meeting a delegation from Afghanistan’s education ministry was to show them how a modern Islamic nation’s education system could be, says the Education Ministry.
Responding to the controversy caused by the recent hosting of the Afghan delegation, the ministry said a presentation that provided a comprehensive overview of the country’s education system, including education for girls and women in Malaysia, was shown to the delegation from the Taliban-led government.
“It (the presentation) demonstrates the country’s inclusive education system and its focus on increasing access and equity across socio-economic status, gender, ethnicity and geography.
“This is in line with Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education (SDG 4), including eliminating gender disparities and ensuring equal and comprehensive access at all levels of education,” it said in a statement yesterday in response to Lim Guan Eng asking Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek to clarify why the ministry hosted officials from Afghanistan, which does not have diplomatic relations with Malaysia.
Lim, who is DAP national chairman, raised the matter as Afghanistan is known for its restrictive access to education for women and girls.
The ministry stressed that the visit was carried out based on guidance and advice from the Foreign Affairs Ministry, together with support services from other relevant ministries and agencies for security screening and continuous monitoring until the programme was completed.
“This visit is an effort to support the direction of Malaysia’s foreign policy approach towards Afghanistan, for which the Malaysian government is prepared to assist in terms of capacity building in the health and humanitarian fields which will contribute to the country’s social progress,” it added.
The ministry also said the delegation has expressed interest in making Malaysia a reference for best practices in developing education policies in Afghanistan, especially in the aspects of curriculum development, teacher training and development, and educational technology.
While the ministry’s commitment is in line with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s statement that he is ready to increase cooperation with Afghanistan, the ministry said the right to education cannot be denied.
“Malaysia is committed to and fully supports the right to education for women and access to education for girls,” it added.
On Nov 16, Fadhlina confirmed that her ministry had hosted officials from the Afghanistan government earlier this month, where it was reported that the Afghan delegation visited several schools and educational institutions during their week-long visit to Malaysia.
Meanwhile, Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong had asked Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh to explain whether he agrees with the hosting of the delegation as Afghanistan is known as a country that currently restricts girls to only primary school-level education.
Dr Wee, who is MCA president, questioned how Wong could claim to be unaware of the meeting.
“Given the close relationship between Fadhlina and Wong, it seems unlikely that Wong would be completely unaware (of the meeting),” Dr Wee wrote in a Facebook post yesterday.
“So, what is Wong Kah Woh’s stance? Does he agree with Fadhlina’s actions? Does he agree with the Taliban? Or is he just staying silent and avoiding the issue?”
Dr Wee said while they were in the opposition, a certain political leader had used the term Taliban to attack his political foes.
“Do you remember when a certain political leader, while in the opposition, often used the term ‘Taliban’ in his ceramah to attack his political opponents? This strategy has earned his party significant Chinese votes.
“Today, that very leader has been promoted to a Cabinet minister, his party is now part of the government, and many of its leaders have also assumed ministerial and high-ranking positions,” he said.
