#SHOWBIZ: TV3's EKSKLUSIF returns to tackle the Rohingya issue in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: Television station TV3's EKSKLUSIF is returning with a special report tackling the Rohingya issue in Malaysia. The program, titled "Rohingya in Malaysia: Between Sovereignty and Humanity," will air tomorrow at 5:35pm on both TV3 and Tonton. The 30-minute documentary delves into the complex realities faced by the Rohingya community, balancing humanitarian aid with national sovereignty concerns.

The report explores the Rohingya journey to Malaysia, the hardships they encounter, and often overlooked stories in public discourse. Thousands of Rohingya refugees embark on weeks-long boat journeys across the Andaman Sea, enduring harsh weather, starvation, and the threat of human-smuggling networks. Once in Malaysia, their lack of legal status hinders their access to formal employment, education, and essential services.

Journalist Nurul Amalina Zainudin visits Selayang to document the community's living conditions and speaks with residents and experts about the challenges, including exploitation by cross-border trafficking syndicates across Southeast Asia. The documentary also presents contrasting views within Malaysian society, where some view the Rohingya as persecuted victims requiring protection, while others express concern about national security, social order, and broader societal impact.

Leading experts contribute to the program, including Universiti Malaya's Migration Research Centre head Associate Professor Dr Mashitah Hamidi, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia political sociology professor Dr Novel Lyndon, and Universiti Teknologi MARA psychological warfare expert Dr Noornirwandy. Community members and Rohingya refugees share their personal experiences, demonstrating the human side of the issue.

At its core, the documentary questions how Malaysia can balance its humanitarian values with the need to protect its borders, laws, and sovereignty. Through field footage, interviews, aerial shots, and graphics, EKSKLUSIF aims to move beyond statistics and debates to reveal the real human stories behind the headlines.