As a refugee living in Malaysia, I have watched with concern as discussions about the Rohingya community have intensified across social media in recent weeks.
Viral videos, online debates, and public criticism have created an atmosphere of growing tension. While many refugees feel hurt by the hostility we see online, we acknowledge that some concerns raised by Malaysians are genuine and deserve to be heard.
Many Malaysians are worried about issues such as public safety, cleanliness, housing, and the long-term presence of refugees in the country.
These concerns should not be ignored. Refugees live among local communities, and we understand that our presence can raise questions and challenges.
Open and respectful discussions about these issues are necessary, and refugee communities also have a responsibility to respect local laws, cultural norms, and the communities that have hosted us for many years.
However, what has been particularly painful is seeing legitimate concerns become mixed with misinformation, hate speech, and collective blame.
Online hate
Across social media, many claims are being made about refugees that are inaccurate, exaggerated, or completely false.
Stories are often shared without verification, and isolated incidents involving individuals are sometimes used to judge an entire community.
Like any community, refugees are not perfect. There may be individuals who break laws or behave irresponsibly, and they should be held accountable for their actions.
However, it is unfair to portray hundreds of thousands of people through the actions of a few. Most refugees are simply trying to survive, support their families, and build a better future despite living with uncertainty every day.
What worries many of us most is the growing level of hostility directed at refugees, especially children. In recent months, refugee families have reported incidents of verbal abuse, intimidation, and harassment in public spaces.
Some children have been mocked because of their identity, language, or refugee status. Others have been made to feel unwelcome simply because they belong to a refugee community.
No child should have to live in fear because of circumstances beyond their control. Refugee children did not choose to flee conflict, persecution, or statelessness.
They did not choose the difficult situations their families face. Yet they often become the targets of anger and frustration directed toward refugee communities.
Disagreements about refugee policies are understandable, but harassment and intimidation are not.
Regardless of nationality or legal status, acts of bullying, threats, violence, and incitement against individuals undermine the values of justice and respect that every society should uphold.
Public concerns should be addressed through dialogue, policies, and lawful processes - not through hostility toward vulnerable people.
Encouraging responsible behaviour
At the same time, refugee leaders and communities must also continue to play their part. We must encourage responsible behaviour, promote positive engagement with local communities, and address problems when they arise.
Respect must be mutual. Building trust requires effort from everyone involved.
Malaysia has provided safety to many refugees fleeing unimaginable circumstances. For that, many of us remain deeply grateful. We understand that Malaysia faces its own challenges and that there are no easy solutions to the refugee situation.
What we ask is not special treatment, but fairness. We ask to be judged as individuals rather than stereotypes, to be discussed based on facts rather than rumours, and to be treated with the dignity that every human being deserves.
The current debate presents an opportunity for reflection. Malaysians and refugees may not agree on every issue. Still, we can choose whether our conversations are guided by anger or understanding, by misinformation or facts, by division or mutual respect.
As refugees, we hear your concerns. We ask only that our voices, experiences, and humanity are also heard. - Mkini
HUSSON AHMAD is a community advocate and founder of the Rohingya Youth Support Network.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.
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