Malaysia’s human rights groups have warned of rising hostility towards Rohingya refugees after a petition shared widely on social media calling for the community to be “removed” from the country amassed nearly half a million signatures.
The petition, launched on Change.org late last month by an account using the name “Aku Anak Malaysia”, urges the Malaysian government to consider resettling the Rohingya in another country or providing “enhanced support in their home regions” in Myanmar.
It claims the presence of Rohingya refugees has placed a “growing strain on resources, infrastructure and social services”, while also raising “security concerns” and stoking fear within local communities.
By Monday morning, the petition to “remove Rohingya from Malaysia” had gathered more than 424,000 signatures – up from around 280,000 recorded by one rights group the previous week.
“It’s crucial for Malaysia to prioritise its own citizens’ welfare and stability while working on a humane solution for the refugees,” the petition reads, adding: “The current approach is unsustainable.”
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