Rohingya refugees from Myanmar are living in fear in Malaysia

Rohingya refugees from Myanmar face immense fear and hardship in Malaysia. One community organizer, Nur Sadek, expresses his desire to leave the country, fearing for his safety. Messages of threats and violence, even including a video of a rifle being fired, have been received by Rohingyas living in Malaysia. The situation has worsened due to a hate campaign on social media, with false claims and fabricated stories about Rohingya refugees spreading.

The increase in online vitriol has had a negative impact on the lives of Rohingya refugees. Informal schools that teach Rohingya children have been closed, either by authorities or by concerned staff members. In July, over 100 Rohingya refugees were detained by the police following a reported eviction at a UN office in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia has plans to send some 5,000 Rohingya refugees back to Myanmar, despite the risks they may face.

Despite the worsening conditions, Rohingya refugees continue to attempt the perilous boat journey to Malaysia. Over 6,500 Rohingya refugees made the voyage by boat in 2023, compared to 4,300 in 2023 and 2,400 in 2020. One refugee states, "If we didn’t flee we would have been killed." The Malaysian government's decision to deport Rohingya refugees further endangers their already vulnerable situation.