COMMENT | Social media in Malaysia these past few weeks has been difficult to ignore. Videos circulate of Rohingya “criminality: such as people begging, operating unregulated businesses, living in unsanitary conditions, or building homes and schools without permits.

Each post is captioned with accusatory language about alleged Rohingya wrongdoings.

These posts seek to inflame resentment that the Rohingya are troublesome, a burden on society, dirty, and are criminals who are immune to the law.

They further stoke fear that the Rohingya are a demographic threat as they “breed” too many children and will also demand citizenship and even bumiputera privileges.

The anti-Rohingya rhetoric is...