Key facts
- Rohingya refugees in Malaysia are facing increased hostility, including school raids and evictions.
- Children are barred from public schools and attend community-run learning centers, which are now vulnerable.
- Some Rohingya have been evicted from villages, and refugees seeking shelter have been temporarily detained.
- Malaysia hosts over 126,000 Rohingya refugees, but they lack formal recognition and associated rights.
- The situation in Myanmar remains dire, with a recent UN report detailing severe suffering for minorities.
Malaysia, once seen as a haven for Rohingya Muslims fleeing persecution in Myanmar, is now experiencing a significant increase in hostility towards the stateless minority. Despite past calls from leaders like former Prime Minister Najib Razak to protect them, the community faces new challenges, including evictions and raids on informal schools.
Rohingya children are barred from attending public schools in Malaysia, forcing them into unlicensed, community-run learning centers. These centers have become targets, with one school raided by police who photographed students and ordered some to leave. Another school suspended classes and advised students to avoid uniforms and disperse quickly to avoid attacks. The uncertainty has led to some schools closing.
In some areas, Rohingya have been evicted from their homes, with local residents expressing concerns about 'social problems'. A group of approximately 120 refugees, many of them children, were temporarily detained after seeking shelter outside the UN's refugee agency in Kuala Lumpur.
The UN estimates over 126,000 Rohingya have resettled in Malaysia, making it a major host country. However, Malaysia has not formally recognized asylum seekers, leaving refugees without rights to housing, employment, or education. The current wave of animosity, amplified by social media, includes accusations of spreading disease, competing for jobs, and even unfounded claims of seeking political power and citizenship.
Rohingya refugees, like activist Karim and school founder Irhan, express fear and disappointment, noting a stark change from the initial welcoming attitude. They feel scapegoated for rising living costs and often face verbal harassment. While many hope to return to Myanmar, the ongoing civil war there makes repatriation impossible for now. A recent UN report highlighted the severe suffering of minorities in Myanmar, describing their plight as having 'plummeted to a new low'.