The warning came from Aizat Shamsuddin, founder and director of the Initiative to Promote Tolerance and Prevent Violence (Initiate.my), following a Melaka assemblyman’s move to bar the community from holding events in open spaces.
Aizat urged leaders to prioritise integration efforts rather than push the Rohingya further to the margins, saying inclusive policies are key to preventing social tensions and fostering stability.
“The more you isolate certain groups or individuals, the more vulnerable they become, giving rise to a greater tendency to be involved in social problems,” he told FMT.
Aizat said feelings of grievance, rejection and isolation from the wider community could increase the risk of crime, adding that these were “structural issues” that must be addressed.
He also said elected representatives had a duty to engage minority communities, including non-citizens.
On Tuesday, Kesidang assemblyman Allex Seah said foreign nationals residing in the constituency, especially the Rohingya, are not allowed to organise any events or celebrations in open areas to avoid disputes or disturbing local residents.
Seah, a state executive councillor, said the decision was finalised after a meeting between Kesidang’s village development and security committee, and several government authorities and agencies.
Seah said the Rohingya community could still organise community events provided they were held at suitable premises such as restaurants or halls.
He said the move followed complaints from residents in Kampung Limbongan about a previous Rohingya event involving loud music and outsiders entering the village, which he said had caused discomfort and disrupted harmony.
Seah said he had received a letter stating that Rohingya residents in the village intended to hold a wedding ceremony, but approval was denied to avoid the occurrence of “undesirable issues or situations”.
Pusat Komas director Jerald Joseph said the issue could have been handled differently through the application of existing rules on noise, traffic and clean-up, rather than by singling out one community.
“They are normal people with normal social needs, including celebrations involving family and friends. Singling out just the Rohingya is xenophobic,” he said.
North-South Initiative executive director Adrian Pereira also questioned whether the Rohingya community had been consulted, saying many locals also caused noise or disturbance during weddings, festivals and parties.
He said an elected representative should ease tensions and help both sides understand each other, not add to the stigma surrounding a vulnerable group.
Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) executive director Azura Nasron said that when a prohibition applies only to a specific group, such as the Rohingya or foreign nationals, it suggests an element of “othering”.
“It sends a fairly clear message that refugees and asylum seekers are viewed as a ‘problem’, as outsiders whose social rights can be easily curtailed,” she said.
Azura called for enforcement to be directed at behaviour, not identity.
“If the issue is noise, then laws governing public disturbance should be applied to anyone who violates them, regardless of who they are,” she said.
FMT has contacted Seah for comment.