Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Malaysian Islamic preacher Firdaus Wong has urged Malaysians not to treat Rohingya refugees in an inhumane manner, Free Malaysia Today reported on September 13, 2026.

Speaking at the New Muslim Community Conference 2026 at the Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur, Wong said Rohingya people may not have the same rights as Malaysian citizens, but they still deserve basic human dignity and fundamental rights.

“No one has the right to treat them inhumanely simply because they have no citizenship, are Rohingya, or are refugees,” Wong said.

His remarks came amid growing public debate in Malaysia over the treatment of the Rohingya community. On September 4, Glorene Das, executive director of Tenaganita, said public anger toward Rohingya people was partly linked to deeper social problems that were being overlooked.

Das said Rohingya refugees face serious difficulties because they lack legal access to employment and education. They also lack secure legal status, leaving many vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.

She argued that individuals who break the law should be held accountable. However, she said the actions of a small number of people should not be used to blame or dehumanize an entire community.

Wong also compared the situation of Rohingya refugees with the experience of Palestinians. He argued that dehumanizing an entire population can create conditions where serious abuses become easier to justify.

He questioned whether Malaysians were providing sufficient justice to stateless people. Wong also referred to the rights of prisoners of war, saying even those held during armed conflicts are entitled to basic protections, including food and freedom from torture.

The comments highlight an ongoing debate in Malaysia over how authorities and society should respond to the Rohingya community while addressing individual crimes and wider social concerns.