Lessons Of Afghanistan For Malaysia





Blowback. The unintended bad results of political actions. That’s something being discussed a lot for the 20th anniversary of 9/11. Is it relevant for Malaysia too?
When America launched its "War on Terror" against Afghanistan in 2001, could it have imagined how it would all end in a chaotic and humiliating withdrawal? Maybe it should have studied its own 9/11 history.
After all, the CIA had supported brutal Muslim warriors called the mujahideen in Afghanistan during the 1980s. A senior official boasted that the plan was to get the Soviet Union bogged down in its own “Vietnam”. 
One of the mujahideen was - Osama bin Laden himself, who later turned against the United States in a spectacular example of blowback. 
Did the United States go to war to liberate Afghan women? Old photos of 1960s Kabul show that women were already wearing skirts and going to university then. Then came the communist government, who was bad at making money but usually much better at empowering women - just ask the loud, outspoken ladies of China.
But the conservative, rural mujahideen that the US supported didn’t like these liberal urban women. (See old photos here.)


Sadly, the US repeated its old mistake of teaming up with ruthless folks. In 2001, it chose violent Afghan warlords from the Northern Alliance as allies to oust the Taliban.
Human Rights Watch pointed out that persistent abuses by these warlords fuelled widespread resentment and helped the Taliban get new support/recruits.
Here’s another unexpected consequence from the war on terror - the fear mongering against Muslims (and other migrants) of the “war on terror” would serve as fuel for white supremacists and the rise of Donald Trump.
There is a fascinating New York Times (NYT) article entitled 'How Sept 11 gave us Jan 6', with the latter date referring to the storming of the US Congress by mobs who believed that Trump had been “robbed” of the election.
Cracks in Malaysia
Muslims in Malaysia have long been saddened to hear about such bias against their faith from right-wing Americans. But what do they feel when certain leaders spew toxic words against non-Muslims here?



In 2016, the Pahang mufti Abdul Rahman Osman called DAP “kafir harbi” - infidels which Muslims are “allowed” to kill. He was never punished for it. In fact, he’s still the mufti today. How do his words affect the long-term unity and strength of our country?
The Sultan of Pahang, who is the head of Islam in the state, was asked to say something about this, but there is no news report that he did so. 
After the fall of BN in 2018, Umno and PAS went on a sustained hate campaign that Pakatan Harapan was a “threat” to Malays/Muslims as it was supposedly “controlled” by the “Chinese/Christian DAP” (haha, can anyone control Dr Mahathir Mohamad?).
Meanwhile, when Sabahans and Sarawakians come to the Klang Valley, they can see all the glorious highways and MRT trains while many in the interior of their states still struggle to get basic roads. Can we blame them if they feel like the step-children of the country?.
All these racial, religious, and regional cracks in our nation are what the Malay proverb calls retak menanti belah. Will they split apart during the next great crisis? For example, if there is a big economic meltdown, will the little embers for East Malaysian independence suddenly start burning brighter? That’s the risk of blowback.
Politicians in many democracies tend to focus mainly on short-term gains. After all, they may be out of office at the next elections. So rather than thinking of their country’s strategic vision over the next 30 years, all too often they prefer to boost their own power and pockets over the next 30 months.
It’s worth recalling that every member of the US Congress (Parliament), both in the House and Senate, voted YES to the war in Afghanistan. Except for one black lady, Barbara Lee of Oakland, California.




Osama bin Laden
But after 20 years, it was Osama bin Laden who actually won the war - after his death - because America hurt itself with the wrong 9/11 responses. This is the verdict of multiple American commentators, be it filmmaker Michael Moore and NYT columnists or even the Brookings Institution, which laments that the US has become “weaker, more divided, and less respected”.
Playing with fire
Do we think that we are stronger than America? What will happen when our small nation of modest means becomes “weaker, more divided, and less respected”? We already have such deep-seated suspicions that a simple disagreement over three pages of Jawi lessons in 2019 could be inflamed into a national crisis.
It’s often said that those who sow the wind, shall reap the whirlwind. Short-sighted politicians who manipulate fears and hatreds - both in America or Malaysia - may think that they are “smart”. But they are playing with fire. Even the world’s greatest superpower will weaken when their blue and red camps detest each other.
Hopefully, the latest cooperation between the ruling government and Pakatan Harapan over political reforms will lead us towards some national reconciliation. As the Yang di-Pertuan Agong advised, politicians should not gamble with the country’s future to achieve their own agenda.
But there is another big lesson from Afghanistan - corruption. It’s been said that the real motive for the never-ending war on terror was never about “democracy” and “women’s rights” but about enriching weapons makers. 


One big reason for the US defeat was that it condoned high-level corruption. John Sopko, the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, said that no one could expect the Afghan forces to fight if their salaries weren’t paid, they didn't have food, and their ammunition and vehicle fuel were stolen by corrupt officials.
The Economist magazine writes that troops were often commanded by politicians’ incompetent relatives. Customs officials, police and clerks routinely demand baksheesh (“tips”). 
Afghans soon grew furious at government corruption and more welcoming towards the Taliban. This was the same reason that South Vietnam fell.


It could cost US$100,000 to become a district police chief in Afghanistan. And officials were not interested in curbing crime, but to extort revenue. During the Taliban’s final offensive, the state had grown so corrupt that most of its governors cut deals to switch sides.
We are told that our armed forces are far more competent than that. Yes, I agree. For now. But will cases of dubious submarines, missing jet engines, and controversial helicopters become worse in the future? How will this affect morale?
Actually, we don’t have to wait so long because former inspector-general of police Hamid Bador revealed in March that our police have a “culture of taking money from the bottom to the top”. 
So be careful of blowback. Malaysian leaders should learn from Afghanistan when they choose to play with racial politics or allow corruption to fester. These are like termites slowly, silently eating away at our home. If the rot continues, don’t be surprised if something collapses suddenly.  - Mkini


Artikel ini hanyalah simpanan cache dari url asal penulis yang berkebarangkalian sudah terlalu lama atau sudah dibuang :

http://malaysiansmustknowthetruth.blogspot.com/2021/09/lessons-of-afghanistan-for-malaysia.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MalaysiansMustKnowTheTruth+%28Malaysians+Must

Kempen Promosi dan Iklan
Kami memerlukan jasa baik anda untuk menyokong kempen pengiklanan dalam website kami. Serba sedikit anda telah membantu kami untuk mengekalkan servis percuma aggregating ini kepada semua.

Anda juga boleh memberikan sumbangan anda kepada kami dengan menghubungi kami di sini
Some 30k Civil Servants Yet To Register For Covid 19 Vaccination Cuepacs

Some 30k Civil Servants Yet To Register For Covid 19 Vaccination Cuepacs

papar berkaitan - pada 17/9/2021 - jumlah : 840 hits
Some 30 000 civil servants have yet to register for Covid 19 vaccination and the Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services has urged them to sign up soon to help the government achieve herd immunity before next year I...
Milo Releases Commemorative Limited Edition Tins Honouring The Malaysian Spirit For Merdeka And Malaysia Day

Milo Releases Commemorative Limited Edition Tins Honouring The Malaysian Spirit For Merdeka And Malaysia Day

papar berkaitan - pada 14/9/2021 - jumlah : 591 hits
Exclusively designed MILO 1 5kg Tins in collaboration with Loka Made come with an augmented reality feature and opportunity to win MILO merchandise MILO is honouring the strength and the never give up spirit of Malaysians this Merdeka and M...
Abdul Latif Bags Gold For Malaysia In Men S Long Jump

Abdul Latif Bags Gold For Malaysia In Men S Long Jump

papar berkaitan - pada 5/9/2021 - jumlah : 295 hits
Defending champion Abdul Latif Romly rocked the athletics arena at the Olympic Stadium today when he bagged his second Paralympic gold medal in the men s long jump T20 category at the Tokyo Paralympics The athlete who hails from Perlis and ...
Malaysia Thirsts For Young Leaders Paloh Rep

Malaysia Thirsts For Young Leaders Paloh Rep

papar berkaitan - pada 11/9/2021 - jumlah : 218 hits
Paloh state assemblyperson Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali said young leaders need to be actively sought after and polished because Malaysians are hankering for young faces as many are tired of old leaders Sheikh Umar said a prime example of such ...
Malaysia Day Reflection Ripe For The Picking

Malaysia Day Reflection Ripe For The Picking

papar berkaitan - pada 17/9/2021 - jumlah : 241 hits
Wishing all Selamat Hari Malaysia in the spirit of the new national tagline Malaysian Family The current economic political and social development seemed to be Though there is a political truce for at least a year to enable Malaysia to get ...
There Is Still Hope For Malaysia Says Chong Wei In Merdeka Message

There Is Still Hope For Malaysia Says Chong Wei In Merdeka Message

papar berkaitan - pada 31/8/2021 - jumlah : 299 hits
Just like his fighting spirit when facing opponents in the badminton court former national shuttler Lee Chong Wei has called on all Malaysians to never give up on the country even in times of uncertainty Taking to Facebook Lee reminded Mala...
Let S Drive To East Malaysia For A Malaysia Day Holiday

Let S Drive To East Malaysia For A Malaysia Day Holiday

papar berkaitan - pada 13/9/2021 - jumlah : 323 hits
What s your dream for Malaysia Day on Thursday More freedom to travel after being locked down for almost two years because of the Covid 19 pandemic It won t be simple or cheap to venture out of Malaysia for the immediate future Drawing on t...
A Great Day For People Power In Malaysia

A Great Day For People Power In Malaysia

papar berkaitan - pada 9/9/2021 - jumlah : 416 hits
It has been a most eventful day involving the three island project in Penang and the plan to develop more than half the north Kuala Langat forest reserve Aliran has just released this statement Today has been an inspiring day for People Pow...
Malaysia Day Time For Sabah Sarawak To Rise

Malaysia Day Time For Sabah Sarawak To Rise

papar berkaitan - pada 15/9/2021 - jumlah : 418 hits
As we celebrate the 58th anniversary of Malaysia Day it is time to holistically address the frustrations of the people of Sabah and Sarawak and allow them to play a larger role at the national level Even today there isn t much representatio...
China S President To Host Official Dinner For Anwar

Drama One Cent Thief 2 Lakonan Syafiq Kyle Azira Shafinaz

I Bought A Toy Like Vape Online Mp Tells Dewan Chamber

Unlocking Savings Expert Tips For Finding Discounted Cigarettes In Australia

Kips Bay Decorator Show House Dallas 2024 An Exquisite Showcase Of Design

India Secebis Kenangan Di India Random Photos

Anwar Slams Hypocritical Criticism Over His Response To Najib S Apology

A Sucker Punch For Rm1 000 What S The Value Of Dignity In Malaysia


echo '';
Biodata Terkini Penyanyi Illa Sabry Peserta Gegar Vaganza 2024 Musim 11 GV11

Info Dan Sinopsis Drama Berepisod Senyawa iQIYI Malaysia

Info Dan Sinopsis Drama Berepisod Project Projek Exit Astro Originals

Pelajari Asal Usul Nama Makhluk Seram Kisah Fiksyen Barat Yang Terkenal

10 Fakta Filem Kahar Kapla High Council Yang Ramai Tak Tahu Prekuel Drama Project Projek High Council


Realiti Bila Ada Anak Kecil

Love Please Don T Let Me Go Angelina Jordan

Konsep Wadiah Pengertian Hukum Dan Rukun Dalam Perspektif Syariah

Sayonara Iza Arina

Build A Strong Team For A Startups

Simple Menu Untuk Dinner