Arakan Journal

By Arakan Journal Staff – October 4, 2026

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – A major Malaysian Islamic coalition has called on authorities to investigate what it says may be a coordinated online campaign spreading misinformation and hate against Rohingya refugees in Malaysia.

The Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organization (MAPIM), an umbrella group representing Muslim organizations and NGOs, urged the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and other authorities to take action against fake accounts, manipulated videos, fabricated statistics and artificial intelligence-generated content targeting the Rohingya community.

MAPIM president Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid also proposed creating a National Digital Hate and Disinformation Monitoring Task Force involving MCMC, police, the Home Ministry, digital forensics specialists, and civil society organizations.

The proposed task force would investigate fake accounts, coordinated inauthentic behaviour, AI-generated disinformation, hate campaigns, fabricated statistics, manipulated videos, and online incitement against ethnic communities, Azmi said.

He questioned whether the growing anti-Rohingya content represented spontaneous public sentiment or whether organized networks were deliberately attempting to influence Malaysians.

Azmi also called for authorities to examine whether accounts based outside Malaysia were being used to manipulate public opinion.

“Do not allow social media algorithms to determine who Malaysians should hate,” he said.

Concerns over misinformation

MAPIM said the volume of misleading material targeting Rohingya refugees had become increasingly concerning, including fabricated quotations, manipulated videos, false statistics, and AI-generated material.

The organization acknowledged that not every claim circulating online was necessarily false but said allegations should be verified through proper investigation before being treated as fact.

MAPIM also referred to a case in February in which MCMC detected coordinated inauthentic behaviour involving Facebook and TikTok accounts discussing race, religion, and royalty, commonly known as the “3R” issues.

Although that case was not specifically related to the Rohingya, MAPIM said it showed that coordinated social media manipulation could shape public perceptions and called for closer scrutiny.

The call comes amid growing online hostility towards Rohingya refugees in Malaysia. Critics of the campaign have raised concerns that misinformation and xenophobic rhetoric could contribute to discrimination against the refugee community.

MAPIM cited previous claims about Rohingya that were subsequently rejected by Malaysian government agencies, including claims concerning identity cards and driving licences.

The National Registration Department denied claims that Rohingya refugees had applied for Malaysian identity cards, while the Road Transport Department denied reports that Rohingya would be allowed to obtain Malaysian driving licences.

MAPIM said some false claims had already attracted widespread attention before clarification was issued by officials.

Calls for greater protection

Azmi urged Malaysians to distinguish legitimate debate over immigration policy and border enforcement from hate speech directed at an ethnic or refugee community.

He said discussions about immigration and crime should be based on verified information and respect for justice.

The coalition’s intervention comes as Malaysia faces renewed debate over its treatment of Myanmar nationals, including Rohingya refugees.

Malaysia recently returned a first group of around 1,500 Myanmar nationals to Myanmar under a voluntary repatriation programme, a move that has drawn criticism from international rights and humanitarian organizations amid continuing conflict in Myanmar.

The security situation in Myanmar remains volatile, particularly in Rakhine State, where fighting has continued between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army.

MAPIM said social media users should not treat the popularity of online material as proof of its authenticity.

“Going viral does not mean it is true,” the organization said, warning that large numbers of views, shares or comments do not turn an unverified claim into fact.

The coalition’s call places renewed attention on the role of Malaysian authorities in combating online disinformation while protecting vulnerable refugee communities from hate speech and incitement.