Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob has urged the public to keep calm as police investigations are ongoing on a sudden spike in negative sentiments directed towards the Rohingya community in Malaysia.
Among others, Ismail (above) said police are investigating the authenticity of various videos and audio clips which had gone viral on social media, linked to a sudden spark of public backlash against the Rohingyas here.
"Malaysia is a peaceful country and we are known to be considerate towards all who are here.
"Give an opportunity for the police to investigate all matters raised," he said when asked for comments to prevent further escalation of the heated debate and threats made on various social media platforms.
Since last week, social media platforms and live streams of press conferences featuring government ministers were flooded with comments calling for action against the Rohingya community.
Ismail further noted that Malaysians have welcomed Rohingya refugees for many years with no similar concerns raised, out of sympathy for the sufferings they faced back in Myanmar.
"But lately during this movement control order (MCO) period, this issue suddenly blew up.
"This is puzzling for the authorities, particularly the large number of news, video and others shared on social media, that had sparked public anger against them," the senior minister in charge of the security cluster said during a daily National Security Council Covid-19 update press conference in Putrajaya today.
A coalition of 17 Rohingya-linked groups based in Myanmar and Malaysia yesterday distanced their community here from purported statements made by the president of the Myanmar Ethnic Rohingya Human Rights Organisation Malaysia, Zafar Ahmad Abdul Ghani (photo).
In their joint statement, the groups issued an apology to the government and Malaysians in general for statements attributed to Zafar which they said had sparked "unprecedented negative sentiments among some Malaysians" against Rohingya refugees here.
On Friday, it was reported that Zafar had to deactivate his Facebook account due to death threats and verbal abuse received, following the circulation of fake social media posts linked to him.
The fake posts quoted him as calling the Malays "stupid", demanding equal rights and Malaysian citizenship for Rohingya refugees.
He was also accused of questioning the Malaysian authorities over their refusal to accept boats ferrying Rohingya refugees. - Mkini
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