Comment section not passing the vibe check as netizens cherry picking which refugees to help

SHAH ALAM - Content creator Muhammad Iqbal Fatkhi's Instagram comment section had become a hot battleground for those against and welcoming refugees to enter government schools.

Yesterday, the internet personality uploaded a clip of Institute of Malaysian and International Studies (Ikmas - UKM) research fellow Dr Muhammed Abdul Khalid speaking about helping refugees at the Youth Economic Forum which Iqbal moderated.

The academician brought to light the irony of Malaysians' undying support for the plight of Palestinians who have been under military attacks by the Zionist Israeli regime since Oct 7 while overlooking the fate of refugees of which some are from Palestine who are denied access to the workforce as well as education in Malaysia.

On top of the comment section, a user @wana_nice voiced her objection to refugee children other than those of Palestinians being allowed to go to public school.

"For Palestine yes... but for others a big no..

"I'm so sorry.. it's not our job to do it as I know that Malaysia is not in agreement of unchr (UNHCR)," she clarified her stance.

The comment was, however, disputed by another user @sptsdt, who had questioned the selective stance.

"Girl, you need to look inward and ask yourself what does it truly mean to be Muslim when you're making statements like that.

"So only Palestinians have the right to education? Yemeni, Syrians, Maynmar, just leave them without education?" she wrote.

Following that, she even shared about a friend of hers who is a second-generation Somalian refugee in Europe with several languages and a master's degree under her belt thanks to the hosting country, which had supported her in education regardless of her racial nor religious background.

Fellow netizen @yasminjahan_u, who hailed from Rohingya, shared her unexpected reaction as she scrolled through the comments.

"As a rohingya reading all these comments comparing to Palestinians...wow, I hope none of you ever have to go through what we have. Because if the roles are reverse, I know we would not wish you harm," she said.

Sharing the same disappointment with the last comment, @noorazizahrohingya pointed out that Rohingyans did not deliberately leave their homeland for Malaysia in pursuit of pleasure and fun time.

"We don't leave our homeland for a leisurely trip to Penang Island or because we want to have a good time.

"It is because of the ongoing violence and persecution.

"Our homes and mosques being burnt down, women and children facing systemic rape and burning down our children alive," she said.

She also added that the examples given above were just a tiny glimpse of the countless unimaginable heinous acts being done on the land of Rohingya.

Notably, a user @rushdan_rd suggested that Malaysia must be careful in order not to let some privileges enjoyed by locals slip into the hands of unsolicited folks as well.

"Must be careful because we dont want other refugees like rohingyas having the same privilege," he said.

Under the comment, user @farulpatel questioned the fearful insight on giving refugees a shot at education in the country.

"Why not? We supported and donated to the Rohingya cause.

"We took them in as refugees, it should then be followed by allowing their children to go to school," the netizen argued.

Another user @mirluna___ expressed a sense of dissatisfaction towards the biased opinion, insisting that "everyone should have the same basic human rights."

On the other hand, some netizens agreed to open the gates of public schools for refugee children.

"That makes a lot of sense. I know of a society called Suka Society that have been championing for basic rights such as medical coverage, education for marginalised children and women who are usually victim of war and conflict," user @yvonne.chan said.

Another netizen @arvinddas7 echoed the call to provide the essential necessity for the refugees.

"Give them the fundamental human rights they deserve.

"Give them the hope from the brutality that they had to endure in Gaza and West Bank.

"But please, give all refugees an equal chance," the netizen poured his wish for the group in question.