Rohingya Refugees Face Escalating Hostility in Malaysia

Malaysia, once seen as a refuge for Rohingya Muslims fleeing persecution in Myanmar, is now witnessing a sharp rise in hostility towards the stateless minority. This shift comes despite former Prime Minister Najib Razak's 2017 appeal to protect them, emphasizing their humanity and right to life.

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We must defend them, not just because they are of the same faith, but [because] they are humans, their lives have value.

The current climate has made even basic activities like attending school a dangerous prospect for Rohingya children. Barred from public schools, they attend unlicensed community-run learning centers. These centers have become targets, with one school raided by police who photographed students and ordered some home. Fear has led some schools to suspend classes or implement strict rules, such as prohibiting uniforms and discouraging students from lingering after school, to protect children from potential attacks.

This escalating animosity is often fueled by public sentiment and manifests in haphazard crackdowns. In recent months, several schools have closed, and some Rohingya families have been evicted from long-term residences. Local residents have voiced concerns about potential "social problems" arising from their presence, leading to displacement and further insecurity.

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The students are just here to learn. Now their families are afraid.

The situation has left the Rohingya community, already feeling beleaguered, in a state of constant anxiety. "In the early years, the Malaysians were our friends. They cared for our children. But it's changed," said Irhan, a Rohingya refugee and school founder, who requested his name be changed for safety. "I would leave if I could, but where else can I go? We are not wanted anywhere."

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We're keeping a low profile to protect our students from getting attacked.

Malaysia hosts an estimated 126,000 Rohingya refugees, making it the second-largest host country after Bangladesh. However, rights groups suggest the actual number may be higher. Denied citizenship in Myanmar, the Rohingya have faced decades of violence and discrimination, leading to mass exoduses and displacement.

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In the early years, the Malaysians were our friends. They cared for our children. But it's changed. I would leave if I could, but where else can I go? We are not wanted anywhere.