Rights group warns against vigilantism after Rohingya homes firebombed

The National Human Rights Society (Hakam) has warned against vigilantism against Rohingya refugees amid concerns of growing xenophobia and hostility towards the community.

Hakam president M Ramachelvam expressed concern over members of the public acting as self-appointed enforcers against refugees, including a case yesterday where several Rohingya homes in Johor were firebombed.

Ramachelvam said such behaviour undermined the rule of law, increased the risk of violence and encouraged collective blame against entire communities.

“Such acts of intimidation and violence must be unequivocally condemned, and grievances must be addressed through lawful processes rather than private acts of retaliation.

“When such conduct is directed at an ethnic or refugee community, it also creates an environment in which collective blame and dehumanisation can be treated as acceptable.

“No community should have to live under the threat that its safety depends on the goodwill of strangers who have taken it upon themselves to determine who deserves protection,” he said in a statement.

Police revealed that several houses inhabited by Rohingya refugees in Kulai, Johor, were attacked with Molotov cocktails past midnight yesterday.

Investigations suggested that the incident was in response to two viral videos purportedly showing a group of Rohingya men daring people to a fight in Kulai.

Ramachelvam urged the public to reject vigilantism, refrain from spreading inflammatory or unverified allegations, and report suspected offences through the appropriate legal channels.