Rohingya refugee schools in Malaysia are facing closures due to online hate speech and harassment. At least nine schools have shut down nationwide after online hate speech and misinformation targeting the Rohingya led to tougher controls on the community.

Background

The Rohingya are a Muslim minority from Myanmar who have been fleeing persecution and violence. Many have sought refuge in Malaysia, but the country does not officially recognize them as refugees, instead branding them as illegal immigrants.

A 12-year-old Rohingya girl, Nur, stopped attending school after being threatened by two men who asked her why she wanted to go to school and if she wanted to take over their country. This incident is not isolated, as many Rohingya children have faced harassment and threats, prompting refugee schools to close.

The online hate speech and misinformation have led to increased scrutiny of Rohingya communities, resulting in investigations, raids, and school closures. Authorities have shut down Rohingya-linked businesses and schools, citing that they are operating illegally.

Rohingya children are barred from the national education system, and their parents are not allowed to work legally in Malaysia. This has left many dependent on schools run by non-governmental organizations or informal learning centers.

Concerns Over Online Moderation

Activists say the online campaign has revived questions over social media platforms’ ability to curb hate speech and violent rhetoric. Some posts flagged to Meta and TikTok were removed, but much remains online.

The situation has raised concerns about the impact of online hate speech on vulnerable communities and the need for social media platforms to take more effective measures to address the issue.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.