PETALING JAYA: MCA has urged Malaysia as a member country of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to hold a special conference to address humanitarian issues in Afghanistan.

       "MCA's stance is that the transition of power in Afghanistan is not running smoothly and has caused the country's administration to destabilise, leading to a chaotic situation that has resulted in the misery of its people," said party spokesperson Mike Chong.

       "It is well known that Afghanistan is currently under Taliban rule, therefore the Malaysian government must follow the tenets and principles of international relations that have been held for so long in recognising any government in the world, including Afghanistan," he added in a statement on Sunday (Aug 29).

       He added that the situation taking place in the country had cost a number of lives and displaced its citizens which Malaysia should give attention to.

       "In the spirit of caring for fellow human beings and the importance of valuing human life regardless of religion, race and nationality, MCA urged the Malaysian government as an influential country to call on member countries of the OIC to hold a special conference to address humanitarian issues in Afghanistan.

       "Apart from that, MCA calls on all Malaysians to continue to pray for the stability and well-being of Afghanistan in facing the crisis," he added.

       On Friday (Aug 27), the UNHCR said that up to half a million Afghans could flee their homeland by year-end.

       The Taliban took control of Afghanistan on Aug 15, following the full withdrawal of US troops that had occupied the country since Sept 11, 2001.