TLDR
- Rohingya activist Noor Azizah criticised Malaysia and other Southeast Asian countries regarding the plight of Rohingya refugees, including more than 2,000 children detained in immigration detention centres in Malaysia.
- Azizah’s statement, delivered while receiving an award in Australia, went viral and sparked various negative reactions from Malaysians, who felt that she did not appreciate the protection provided.
- Online discussions reflect a range of views on the Rohingya issue, with some questioning why Azizah did not emphasise the issue of ethnic cleansing in Myanmar.
Online discussions about the Rohingya community have been steadily surfacing on Malaysian social media. Many users are sharing their personal stories and opinions shaped by their own encounters. These conversations often reflect a mix of frustration, concern, and differing perspectives on how the issue should be understood.
Recently, attention turned to a Rohingya activist whose statement criticising Malaysia and other Southeast Asian countries went viral. Although the remarks were made in a speech last year, they have now triggered a massive backlash from local citizens.
Image Credit: @rohingyawomencollaborative | Instagram
The Rohingya activist, Noor Azizah, delivered a speech touching on the plight of Rohingya refugees in Southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand.
According to reports, Azizah delivered the speech while receiving the Marie Claire Women of the Year Award in the Voice of Now 2025 category in Australia. She reportedly spent 8.5 years in Malaysia as a refugee in Sabah before her family sought asylum in Australia.
“Even after we fled Myanmar, the violence followed us.”
In the video, Azizah raised the issue that more than 2,000 Rohingya children in Malaysia are currently placed in immigration detention centres, growing up behind iron bars rather than in classrooms.
Her speech also highlighted issues faced by the community in countries such as Indonesia and Thailand.
“Even after we fled Myanmar, the violence followed us. You may know Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand as holiday destinations for you and your family."
She shared, "In Malaysia today, more than 2,000 Rohingya children are locked up in immigration detention centres, growing up behind bars instead of in classrooms."
"In Indonesia, hate speech, false information, and disinformation are flooding social media, while in Thailand, human trafficking syndicates are trading Rohingya bodies like currency,” she added.
The statement that struck a chord
The statement made by Azizah drew various reactions from Malaysians, with many questioning her for not highlighting the issue of ethnic cleansing in her country of origin, but instead criticising countries that have taken in Rohingya refugees.
Others also labelled Azizah as “ungrateful” for not appreciating the protection and opportunities provided by Malaysians to the Rohingya community.
Image Credit: Threads
Image Credit: Threads
Image Credit: Threads
Image Credit: Threads
Featured Image Credit: Threads, Berita Harian
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