THE Rohingya in Malaysia are worried about their safety following a spate of xenophobic comments and threats against them on social media.

This is the first time the stateless refugees are feeling unsafe in Malaysia – a Malay-Muslim majority country – Rohingya leaders and activists told The Malaysian Insight.

“Of course, we are worried. I have lived here for 31 years and never have I felt so unsafe like now,” said Abdul Ghani, 50, a teacher based in Ampang.

He said the community has never demanded any favour from the Malaysian government as claimed on social media.

“We know our place, we are refugees. We are grateful for what Malaysia has done for us, this country has been so nice to us for decades, why must we demand for anything?

“There is a misconception about us and with the internet, the misconception about us spreads even faster. Every one of us respects and safeguards the national harmony here, we have no interest to interfere with political matters.

“What we want is just a resettlement to a third country and that is being handled by the United Nations. There is no such thing as wanting citizenship or equal rights in Malaysia. That is ridiculous,” he said.

Ghani has applied for a resettlement to the United States and is currently waiting for approval.

“If I go to the United States, I will miss Malaysia the most.

“I have been here for 30 years. From working in a plantation in Kuala Berang to wiping mirrors at the twin towers and building the Matrade Convention Centre in Jalan Duta. This is my home.

“But I am just a refugee trying to live peacefully among peaceful people.”

Ghani lives in Ampang with his wife and three children.

“Despite the threats, I am thankful that the people here in Ampang treat us very well. They know us and so far, we are safe from any harm.”

The Rohingya became online target recently after a leader – Zafar Ahmad – allegedly demanded full citizenship for the community and made disparaging remarks about the Malays on Facebook.

Zafar, who claims to head the Myanmar Ethnic Rohingya Human Rights Organisation (Mehrom), denies making such claims.

“The post went viral and led to condemnations and threats against me, my family, Merhrom committee members and the Rohingya refugees, in general,” said Zafar.

“I hope I can clear this misunderstanding. I never said what I am accused of saying on social media,” Zafar said in a short video uploaded on Facebook.

Apology from Rohingya

However, a coalition of Rohingya groups said in a statement Zafar was never elected as Mehrom head.

The signatories, including Arakan Watch, Human Rights Association for Rohingya, Ethnic Rohingya Committee of Arakan, Rohingya Cooperative Society and Rohingya Association in Malaysia among others, also apologised for Zafar’s comments.

“Rohingya refugees in Malaysia are worried and in a state of fear due to the growing negative sentiments and threats.

“On behalf of the Rohingya community, we apologise to the people of Malaysia and the government of Malaysia for the irresponsible statements made by Zafar Ahmed.

“He was never elected as the president of the organisation and we are against such unrealistic and irresponsible statements,” they said.

According to the UN refugee agency UNHCR, as of February 2020, there are some 178,990 refugees and asylum-seekers registered in Malaysia.

More than 154,000 are from Myanmar, comprising 101,010 Rohingya, Chins (22,810) and others (30,250).

The Rohingya are mainly from Rakhine state.

Mohamad Islam, a Rohingya hired by the government to act as an interpreter, also refuted Zafar’s claims.

“I heard some have been beaten up but I am not sure how true the news is. That is why we are in fear. Since 1992 when I first came here, this is the first time I feel scared.

“I have family and kids and I am worried about their safety,” said the court interpreter in Bukit Mertajam.

“We have never asked for citizenship and it is ridiculous to ask for it, especially when Malaysia is battling the Covid-19 virus,” he added.

Mohd Rafique, also a teacher, said the Rohingya are grateful with the help given by the Malaysian government as well as the hospitality from the public.

“There was never any issue between us and Malaysians. I came here when I was 17 years old and I have stayed here for 22 years now. I was never harassed.

“Suddenly, I received threats for something that I am not sure about. They sent text messages saying they will beat me up,” said the principal of the Knowledge Garden Learning Centre School for Rohingya in Seri Kembangan.

Amir Harun, a former student at a private university, told The Malaysian Insight that Rohingya in Kuantan are staying indoors after threats against the community on social media.

‘Although there is a restriction order, we don’t simply go out. We are worried after this issue became viral on Facebook,” said Amir who lives in the Pahang city.

Attacks against activist

Rohingya rights activist Tengku Emma Zuriana Tengku Azmi said the online abuse and threats she received this time have crossed the line.

The European Rohingya Council ambassador to Malaysia told The Malaysian Insight that irresponsible parties shared her identification number and car registration number on social media.

She not only received death threats but also rape threats through messages and phone calls.

“This time it is too much. I have been doing this for eight years and for me online abuse was nothing but this time I fear for my safety.

“They shared my details online and it was shared for 15,000 times on Facebook. I got calls, text messages wanting to kill me, throw me into the ocean and as far as rape,” she said.

Tengku Emma has lodged two police reports, adding that the media, too, played a role creating misconceptions about the Rohingya.

“When the boat was turned back in Langkawi, the media branded the Rohingya as undocumented immigrants which they are not. They are refugees. They come here for a reason.

“They are being killed in Myanmar and that is why they flee to seek protection but instead of protecting them, we turn them away, we ask them to go home, just to be slaughtered.

“That is why the public does not understand the issue because the media is not telling what they are supposed to tell. They are not illegal immigrants, they are refugees.”

The online attacks against the Rohingya escalated after activists called for public support to feed thousands locked down due to an enhanced movement-control order in Selayang.

Locals took offence to this call, saying that there were needier Malaysians who must be fed and given aid. Most of the Rohingya live in Selayang. – April 27, 2020.