Rising hate speech threatens Rohingya refugees in Malaysia

In Malaysia, rising hate speech has intensified threats against Rohingya refugees, prompting urgent concerns over their safety and legal status. As of late February, approximately 126,144 Rohingya were registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Malaysia, representing nearly two-thirds of the estimated 215,600 Rohingya refugees and asylum seekers currently residing in the country. These individuals have historically found refuge in Malaysia after fleeing persecution in Myanmar, a predominantly Buddhist nation. However, tensions have escalated since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, with a new wave of online hate and misinformation targeting the community. The hostility reached a critical point in July 2026, when residents in the fishing village of Kuala Muda, located in the state of Penang, forced around 100 Rohingya to abandon their homes. This followed the installation of signs by locals urging them to leave, including one reading “Rohingyas are banned from Kuala Muda.” The incident underscores a broader pattern of growing resentment toward the Rohingya, fueled by social media campaigns and targeted disinformation. A hashtag, #SaveMalaysiaFromRohingya, gained traction among anti-Rohingya influencers, who spread narratives portraying the group as economic burdens. One such influencer, Abang Koroy, posted on Facebook on July 22, 2026, claiming that Rohingya “make money by begging and running businesses without paying taxes” and that they frequent private hospitals while public clinics are inadequate for them. Such statements reflect a wider narrative that frames the Rohingya as outsiders exploiting Malaysian resources. Influencers promoting anti-Rohingya content have contributed significantly to the spread of these harmful messages, using platforms like Facebook to amplify divisive rhetoric. Maryam*, a representative of the Malaysian NGO Article 19, which advocates for free expression and combats hate speech, described the recent surge in hostile discourse as one of its most intense waves in terms of scale and duration. She noted that the campaign began towards the end of April 2026 and continues to this day. According to Maryam, the backlash started with false claims that Rohingya refugees were demanding special rights and land. In May, an online petition was launched calling on Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to expel the Rohingya from Malaysia. This led to increased pressure and threats directed at organizations such as the UNHCR, the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam), and other NGOs through social media channels. Maryam emphasized that despite efforts to report problematic content to Meta, the platform’s moderation processes remain too slow to address the issue effectively. She pointed out that the Rohingya lack formal recognition under Malaysian law and are not protected by the 1951 Geneva Convention. While registered with the UNHCR, they are denied legal protections and the right to work, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. This legal vacuum exacerbates their precarious position, especially amid rising hostility. Local reports indicate that the Rohingya population in Kuala Muda has grown substantially. From 108 individuals in 2018, the number rose to approximately 400 by 2026. A non-Rohingya resident reportedly told the newspaper Bharian that locals feel economically disadvantaged due to the increasing presence of Rohingya fishermen, creating competition with existing residents who rely on similar livelihoods. These tensions have culminated in the mass displacement of Rohingya families, with some being escorted to departure points for onward travel.