Malaysian mobs force 100 Rohingya from homes after hate speech surge

More than 100 Rohingya refugees have been forced from their homes in Malaysia after a surge of hate speech on social media whipped up hostility toward the community.

The evictions follow months of rising online vitriol targeting Rohingya refugees, who fled Myanmar’s military crackdowns that the UN has described as genocide. Malaysia hosts around 180,000 refugees, with Rohingya making up roughly a third of that population. Many arrived by boat after 2015, when thousands were stranded at sea with little food or water. Local NGOs say the current wave of online abuse began after a viral video in June showed a Rohingya man allegedly assaulting a Malaysian police officer. The clip, later debunked as misleading, triggered protests and calls for deportations. Facebook, which is widely used in Malaysia, has faced criticism for failing to remove inflammatory posts quickly enough.

The backlash has turned violent. In late July, a group of Rohingya families in Selangor state were evicted from their rented homes after landlords received threats. Some were given just days to leave. Schools attended by Rohingya children have been temporarily shut down after parents reported harassment. Refugee groups say local police have been slow to intervene, and some officers have reportedly joined in blaming the Rohingya for social problems. The Malaysian government has not issued a formal response, but Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has previously called for stricter controls on refugee integration, citing public sentiment.

Human rights organizations warn the situation could escalate. Amnesty International has urged Malaysia to protect Rohingya refugees and prosecute those inciting violence. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) says it is working with local authorities to de-escalate tensions, but acknowledges the challenge of countering misinformation. Refugee advocates say the government’s refusal to ratify the UN Refugee Convention leaves the Rohingya with no legal status and no safety net. Without a clear policy or public support, more evictions and school closures are likely. The crisis highlights a growing divide in a country where refugees are increasingly seen as a burden rather than survivors of persecution.