No Education Pacts Inked After Visit By Afghan Officials Says Fadhlina

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Education minister Fadhlina Sidek said the visit by officials from the Afghan government last November was to give them a deeper insight into Malaysia’s education system.
PETALING JAYA: The hosting of officials from the Taliban-led Afghan government last November did not result in any agreements for cooperation, the education ministry says.
Education minister Fadhlina Sidek said the visit was aimed at giving the Afghan officials a deeper insight into Malaysia’s education system.
“However, it is important to clarify that the visit did not involve any official agreements or bilateral cooperation between the two governments in the field of education,” she said in a written Dewan Rakyat reply.
Fadhlina also said that Putrajaya had yet to recognise the de facto government of Afghanistan.
“As such, no formal relations or strategic cooperation in education have been established between the two governments,” she said.
She was responding to Misbahul Munir Masduki (PN-Parit Buntar), who asked about the nature of the bilateral relations established between the Malaysian and Afghan governments in the field of education following the visit.
She said the visit was fully sponsored by an international NGO which manages funds provided by the European Union as part of its efforts to support capacity-building initiatives in Afghanistan.
She also said that her ministry would continue to consult Wisma Putra before considering any collaboration with foreign entities.
The move to host officials from Afghanistan’s education ministry came under scrutiny by DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng last year.
Lim, the Bagan MP, had cited the controversial policies of the Taliban-led government on education for women.
The ministry however defended the move, saying it was in line with Putrajaya’s policy to help the Islamic republic.- FMT

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