LETTER | CIJ deeply concerned Star article will promote anti-Rohingya xenophobia

malaysiakini
Wathshlah G Naidu
16 Jun 2021,

LETTER | The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) refers to an article published in The Star on 16 June 2021 titled Residents voice out their thoughts on Rohingya living among them.

We are highly concerned that the article in question articulates xenophobic and racist rhetoric against Rohingya refugees, and perpetuates harmful stereotypes that could lead to hatred, discrimination, and violence against a marginalised and vulnerable community.

Covid-19 And The Rohingya: Hunger, exploitation, hate crimes and xenophobia

The Daily Star
C R Abrar
 July 14, 2020

“What these youth want is to thrive as human beings, to realise their innate potentials, not merely to survive.” Photo: Anisur Rahman 

"We are the same human being like you and need the same basic rights which you enjoy. Please don't hate us. We don't want to be a burden. Allow us to study and work, and stand by us. We will surely return home."

This was the ardent appeal of Sharifah Shakirah, who fled to Malaysia from Buthidaung township in Myanmar at the age of six. Sharifah was joined by four other Rohingya youth at an eSymposium on June 9 to share their experiences of the Covid-19 situation in their respective countries of asylum.

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.