Punish ‘vigilantes’ who confront Rohingya refugees, says activist

 

Rohyingya refugees in Malaysia have been accused of operating illegal businesses or taking jobs meant for Malaysians. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: A migrant rights activist has called on the authorities to take action against people who share video clips of themselves confronting Rohingya refugees.

The video clips have been circulating on social media over the past few months and show Rohingya people being accused of operating illegal businesses or taking up job opportunities meant for Malaysians.

North-South Initiative executive director Adrian Pereira described the postings as acts of vigilantism which could instigate violence against the community.

A Melaka assemblyman, Noor Helmy Abdul Halem of Umno, who has his own series of video clips of him confronting Rohingya refugees, told FMT his objective was to inform Malaysians about their rights and what certain Rohingya have done, not to encourage the people to act of their own volition.

However, Pereira called upon the police to take action against those posting the video clips. “It’s not their job to play the role of vigilantes, you have to respect people’s private spaces and right to livelihood. These vigilantes need to be put in their place,” he said.

Former religious affairs minister Mujahid Yusof Rawa  also expressed concern, saying the video clips would instil hatred among Malaysians toward the Rohingya.

“We do not want members of the public to take the law into their own hands, that will lead to hatred of the Rohingya. And I will not deny that such videos and the way they’re presented could even instigate violence toward them,” said Mujahid, who is Amanah vice-president.

However, Noor Helmy said he had made numerous reports to the authorities before over breaches of the law by members of the community. “I have also brought up to the state assembly about the influx of Rohingya refugees in Melaka, particularly in the Duyong area,” he added.

He dismissed the notion that the video clips could incite violence against the community.

“Since these videos came out, how many reports of violence against Rohingya refugees have there been? Have they increased or are they non-existent? On the other hand, how many reports have Malaysians made about the Rohingya?” he said.

According to the United Nations refugee agency, an estimated 200,000 Rohingya live in Malaysia after fleeing from persecution and ethnic cleansing in Myanmar.

They are not allowed to work legally, have no access to government services such as healthcare and education, and are not allowed to own property or open bank accounts. - FMT