‘DAP-linked people’ behind anti-Rohingya messages, says deputy minister

FMT
FMT Reporters
May 1, 2020

Deputy Federal Territories Minister Edmund Santhara.

PETALING JAYA: Deputy Federal Territories Minister Edmund Santhara has blamed “DAP-linked netizens” for the recent rise in hate speech and xenophobic messages targeting the Rohingya community amid the Covid-19 outbreak.

Speaking to Malaysiakini and KiniTV, Santhara said his analysis of “all the social media (messages)” found that the hate speech and xenophobic messages were “sponsored by politically motivated groups”.

“Why did I say (these groups) are politically motivated? You can see that the people who are talking about it were originating from the DAP side,” the Segamat MP was quoted as saying.

Dr M: Don't hate the Rohingyas

NEWSTRAITSTIMES 
Veena Babulal -
April 29, 2020

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said driving the Rohingyas away from our shores and forcing them to spend up to two months at sea is inhumane. --File pic via BERNAMA

 

KUALA LUMPUR: Driving the Rohingyas away from our shores and forcing them to spend up to two months at sea is inhumane, said Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

"What we should have done instead was to supply them with food and fuel so they can go to other countries or return to Myanmar," he said in a posting on his blog today.

Mufti-turned-minister urged to rein in Rohingya haters after shocking video

FMT
Nicholas Chung
April 29, 2020

 Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri.

 

PETALING JAYA: A human rights activist is banking on religious affairs minister Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri to put a stop to hateful comments targeting the Rohingya refugee community in Malaysia, after a shocking video showing one such refugee being verbally abused by a local man.

Afiq Noor, who is attached to rights group Lawyers for Liberty, said Zulkifli, the former federal territories mufti, must come out with a strong stand for the Rohingya.

Continue to show support to Rohingya

NEWSTRAITSTIMES
April 30, 2020
JASON LOH SEONG WEI
EMIR RESEARCH 

It is heartening to note that within our country, the Rohingya community continue to receive the attention and help from the government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). -NSTP File 

LETTERS: The denial of entry to a boat containing two to four hundred or more Rohingya refugees on April 16, off the coast of Langkawi, and a statement by the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) that voiced concerned over "their poor settlements and living conditions... will bring Covid-19 into the country" were the initial catalysts for a spate of xenophobic and unprecedented attacks on the Rohingya on social media.

Once embraced by Malaysians, Rohingya now fear attacks with a rise in xenophobia

THE STRAITSTIMES
Nadirah H. Rodzi
Malaysia Correspondent

Rohingya refugees receive goods from volunteers in Kuala Lumpur on April 7, 2020.PHOTO: REUTERS

KUALA LUMPUR - Alam Syofik came to Malaysia two years ago in the hope of a better life after fleeing a brutal military crackdown against Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine state in Myanmar in 2017.

But the safe haven for the Rohingya that Malaysia once seemed to offer has turned into hell for him and his peers, as hostility against them has reached new heights amid fears over the coronavirus pandemic that has afflicted poor migrant communities and xenophobia.

Rohingya quest for safety and survival — Abu Ahmed Farid

malaymail
Thursday, 30 Apr 2020

APRIL 30 — The Rohingya is an indigenous Muslim community in Arakan (renamed by the military as Rakhine state in 1974). Despite of being peace-loving and law-abiding people, they are not tolerated in Buddhist Burma/Myanmar.

They are oppressed and persecuted beyond one’s imagination based on their ethnicity, religion and appearance. This was done in order to rid Arakan of the Muslim population.

“The United Nations has described them as the world’s most persecuted minority in most danger of extinction.”

And UN Human Right Chief Zeid Ra‘ad al-Hussein said “The situation seems like a textbook example of ethnic cleansing.”

Home minister: Malaysia sent Rohingya boat away with food as borders closed due to Covid-19

malaymail 

Thursday, 30 Apr 2020 BY IDA LIM

A boat carrying suspected ethnic Rohingya migrants is seen detained in Malaysian territorial waters, in Langkawi April 5, 2020. — Reuters pic

KUALA LUMPUR, April 30 — Malaysian authorities turned away a boat with ethnic Rohingya from Myanmar only after providing them with food to continue their journey elsewhere, Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said today.

Hamzah was referring to a recent news report of the Royal Malaysian Navy intercepting a boat carrying about 200 Rohingya that was spotted 70 nautical miles away from Langkawi, with the crew of a navy ship providing food to them on humanitarian grounds before ensuring the boat left the country’s waters.

Solidarity with Rohingya — Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK

malaymail
Tuesday, 28 Apr 2020

APRIL 28 — The Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK (Brouk) is deeply concerned about growing online hate speech directed towards Rohingya refugees living in Malaysia. We appeal to the Malaysian government to condemn hateful comments against the Rohingya, to hold those responsible to account and to stand in solidarity and compassion with refugees.

Brouk furthermore wishes to express its deep gratitude towards the Malaysian authorities and Malaysian people for hosting tens of thousands of Rohingya refugees for decades, and for their strong political support for the Rohingya in the face of the ongoing genocide in Myanmar.

Rohingyas in Malaysia Face a Pandemic and a Possible Populist Backlash

THE I DIPLOMAT 
By Erin Cook
April 28, 2020

Rohingya refugees in Malaysia face a double-pronged disaster: a pandemic and a populist turn against the vulnerable community.

This article is free: The Diplomat has removed paywall restrictions on our coverage of the COVID–19 crisis.

 In Malaysia, the Rohingya refugee community is dealing with a double-pronged disaster. As is true for everyone, the pandemic has fundamentally upset daily life and fears of both infection and the loss of income permeate. And now the community must also contend with a sudden turn in support from wider society.

Initially, this turn was linked to would-be boat arrivals of refugees entering Malaysian waters in recent months, but it has escalated dramatically online after potentially faked comments from a self-styled community leader created a deep division.

Dr M: Stop trading with Myanmar over Rohingya abuse

malaymail

Wednesday, 29 Apr 2020
BY YISWAREE PALANSAMY

Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today called for a rejection of trade with Myanmar over its cruelty towards its Rohingya community. — Picture by Hari Anggara

KUALA LUMPUR, April 29 — Malaysia has already accepted too many Rohingya refugees and other nations must do their part to address the crisis, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today.

On his blog, Dr Mahathir also called for a rejection of trade with Myanmar over its cruelty towards its Rohingya community.

Don’t fear speaking up for Rohingya, says Anwar

FMT
FMT Reporters
April 27, 2020

PETALING JAYA: Rohingya refugees who arrive in Malaysia could be accommodated at special and controlled areas, while Malaysia draws up plans to send them to another country, PKR president Anwar Ibrahim suggested today.

Speaking in a video broadcast over Facebook, Anwar urged political leaders and elders to speak up about the Rohingya problem and not fear a backlash.

Solving Solving Rohingya crisis takes a global effort, burden shouldn’t fall on Malaysia’s shoulders alone, says HadiRohingya crisis takes a global effort, burden shouldn’t fall on Malaysia’s shoulders alone, says Hadi

malaymail  

BY DANIAL DZULKIFLY

Monday, 27 Apr 2020 

General view of a Rohingya settlement in Bandar Baru Sentul, Kuala Lumpur April 24, 2020. — Picture Hari Anggara

KUALA LUMPUR, April 27 — The humanitarian crisis that has plagued the Rohingya people needs to be dealt with via an international effort rather than Malaysia solely bearing the burden, said PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang.

In an exhaustive Facebook posting today, Hadi explained that while Malaysia has done its fair share by aiding refugees, it cannot continue an open-door policy as it could be seen as facilitating the “oppressive” acts of the Myanmar government towards the Rohingya people.

Rohingya Society of Malaysia apologises for certain individuals’ demands

theSundaily
26 APR 2020

KUALA LUMPUR: The Rohingya Society of Malaysia (RSM) today apologised to the Malaysian government and its people on behalf of the refugee community for certain demands allegedly issued by its members recently.

“We apologise to the Malaysian government and its people,” said RSM deputy president Abdul Ghani Abdul Rahman, adding that the Rohingya community in the country fully acknowledged their status as refugees.

Please don't hate us, Rohingya plead with Malaysians

THE Star
Sunday, 26 Apr 2020
 RASHVINJEET S. BEDI

IN the six years he has lived in Malaysia, never has Rohingya refugee Rahman felt as unsafe as he does now.

The 27-year-old activist has even deactivated his social media accounts because of the hate and threats that have been spewed out against the Rohingya.

"We can never be ungrateful to Malaysia. I can only thank Malaysia for allowing us to stay here. Please don't hate us," says Rahman, who does not want to use his full name for fear of his safety. His real name and picture have been circulated on social media with hate messages.

Malaysia arrests Rohingya in trafficking crackdown

CNA 
21 Apr 2020

Malaysian authorities have arrested two people suspected of being human traffickers in connection with the arrival of this boat crammed with Rohingya migrants in Langkawi on April 5 AFP/Handout

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has arrested two Rohingya for alleged human-trafficking, authorities said Tuesday (Apr 21), as they ramp up efforts to stop members of the Muslim minority coming to the country amid coronavirus fears.

Malaysia is a favoured destination for the group from mostly Buddhist Myanmar, who have long complained of persecution, as it is a Muslim-majority country that already has a sizeable Rohingya diaspora.

Malaysia: Hundreds of Rohingya seeking safety by boat at acute risk from coronavirus

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
Source :Amnesty
10 April 2020

The Malaysian authorities should ensure that the 202 Rohingya people found adrift off the country’s coast are spared the risk of mass infection in detention facilities, said Amnesty International Malaysia today.

The group is currently in 14-day quarantine in response to the outbreak of COVID-19.

“The government must ensure adequate protection for these Rohingya people, who are in desperate need of safety from both persecution and illness,” said Preethi Bhardwaj, Amnesty International Malaysia’s Interim Executive Director.

Release detained refugees: rights body to Malaysia

The Daily Star
April 10, 2020
Star Online Report

Regional rights body 'Fortify Rights' has called for Malaysia to release detained refugees and prevent arbitrary detention of new arrivals to minimise health risks due to Covid-19.

"Malaysia should take extra precautions now to protect the rights of refugees and refrain from detaining them," said Matthew Smith, chief executive officer of Fortify Rights, in a statement today.

"Detaining refugees after they pass a quarantine and during a pandemic would be irresponsible and inhumane," he said.

Ustaz Rafik is on a mission to feed starving refugees during Covid-19 shutdown and he needs help to do so

malaymail 

Wednesday, 08 Apr 2020

By MARK RYAN RAJ

The refugees show their thankfulness for the help they received by praying with Rafik. — Picture courtesy of Ustaz Rafik.

 

KUALA LUMPUR, April 8 — At the tender age of eight, Rafik Shah arrived on Malaysian soil as a Rohingya refugee with his family.

Thirty six years on, and Rafik, fondly known as Ustaz Rafik, has taken it upon himself to help his fellow stateless refugees as they struggle in his second home, especially now with the Covid-19 outbreak forcing the nation into a four-week shutdown.

Health Ministry assures public Rohingya refugees in Langkawi isolated, being tested

malaymail

Monday, 06 Apr 2020
BY JERRY CHOONG

Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah giving a press conference on Covid-19 in MOH , Putrajaya. — Picture by Choo Choy May

 

PUTRAJAYA, April 6 — The Ministry of Health has confirmed today that around 250 Rohingya refugees who landed at Langkawi, Kedah will be tested for Covid-19, following concerns from the public.
Its director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the refugees, who reached the island’s shores near Langkawi’s Ritz Carlton Hotel early yesterday morning, have already been isolated.

New clinic to screen Rohingya for Covid-19 in Selayang, says Health DG

malaymail 

Sunday, 05 Apr 2020

BY DANIAL DZULKIFLY

KUALA LUMPUR, April 5 — Health officials have opened a clinic to screen Rohingyas in Selayang for the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) said Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.