COMMENT | Perhaps many Malaysians are not fully aware that The Gambia has filed a lawsuit against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice under the Genocide Convention, alleging genocide against the Rohingya population in Rakhine State.

Reflecting broader trends in Malaysian politics, Malaysian politicians are aligning themselves with anti-Rohingya rhetoric, utilising the issue to signal alignment with public grievances and assert their party’s ongoing significance, or to appeal to popular sentiment, or to demonstrate their party’s political relevance.

Meanwhile, Change.org has removed a petition demanding the removal of Rohingya refugees from Malaysia following sharp criticism from civil society organisations, who flagged the initiative as a hate campaign.

Before its removal for review, the petition - widely believed to have originated locally - had amassed over 424,000 signatures as of June 8.

Public friction intensified following reports of...