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SINGAPORE: The Myanmar military government has taken issue with a recent CNA current affairs programme which examined the plight of the Rohingya community in Malaysia – alleging that some information was \u201cunsubstantiated by historical evidence\u201d and allegations that could undermine Myanmar\u2019s image.<\/p>\n
In a statement dated Oct 22, which was put up on the website of Myanmar\u2019s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Myanmar embassy in Singapore said: \u201cMyanmar categorically rejects the nomenclature that falsely claims the so-called \u2018Rohingya\u2019 as an ethnic identity which has never existed in Myanmar. The term \u2018Bengali\u2019 has existed in Myanmar as proven by historical official records, including the censuses during the British colonial administration. Therefore, the remarks using such terminology are unacceptable.\u201d<\/p>\n
In response, CNA executive producer Daniel Heng pointed out that the use of the term \u201cRohingya\u201d is consistent with established international usage and widely accepted journalistic practice.<\/p>\n
The term Rohingya is used by major international organisations, including the United Nations, the United Nations Children’s Fund, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the International Court of Justice, Doctors Without Borders and Oxfam, as well as international news organisations such as the BBC, CNN, Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.<\/p>\n
\u201cGiven that the documentary examines the situation of the Rohingya community in Malaysia, it is also pertinent that the term Rohingya is used by the Malaysian government in parliamentary proceedings and public discourse and by Malaysian media such as the New Straits Times (NST),\u201d said Mr Heng.<\/p>\n
The CNA weekly current affairs programme, Insight: Malaysia\u2019s Rohingya Riddle, aired on Oct 15 and was uploaded the next day on CNA Insider’s YouTube page.<\/p>\n
Insight is CNA\u2019s international award-winning one-hour current affairs programme that aims to expose viewers to the political, social and economic realities facing today’s societies. This episode explored Malaysia\u2019s balance between humanitarian concerns and national interests, as Rohingya who had been offered refuge now face rising hostility and political pressure.<\/p>\n
It has been more than five years since Myanmar\u2019s military seized power in a coup, ousting the elected government.<\/p>\n
In its statement, the Myanmar government included copies of Myanmar\u2019s census reports from 1881, 1921 and 1931. It also said that it \u201cprioritises provision of necessary assistance to Myanmar citizens facing difficulties abroad\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cRecently, following the verification process, 8,041 Myanmar nationals were repatriated to Myanmar by air on a weekly basis. Moreover, 1,476 verified Myanmar nationals who could not afford airfare were repatriated by Myanmar Navy vessels,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n
\u201cMyanmar firmly rejects politically motivated broadcasts intended to exert international pressure on the country. Such broadcasts must not link the repatriation of Myanmar nationals from Malaysia with the separate issue of Bengalis who have illegally entered Malaysia. These statements constitute fabricated propaganda aimed at inciting hatred against Myanmar and its people. Myanmar is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country where people of different faiths have lived side by side in harmony.\u201d<\/p>\n
The embassy\u2019s Charg\u00e9 d’Affaires Zaw Minn Aung also sent a letter of protest addressed to CNA\u2019s editor-in-chief to express its \u201cstrong objection to the unverified information contained in the documentary that fails to accurately reflect the situation on the ground\u201d.<\/p>\n
Mr Heng noted that the CNA programme did not overlook or misrepresent the Myanmar government\u2019s position. It explicitly acknowledged this position, stating that \u201cMyanmar authorities and nationalist groups have frequently rejected the term \u2018Rohingya\u2019 and instead described the community as \u2018Bengali\u2019, implying that they consist of relatively recent migrants from Bangladesh.\u201d<\/p>\n
Regarding the reported agreement for Myanmar to accept 5,000 Rohingya refugees from Malaysia, the documentary drew on remarks made by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during a speech, as reported by the NST in July 2026.<\/p>\n
“Now, because of our good relations with Myanmar, they have agreed to take back 5,000 from Malaysia,” Mr Anwar was quoted by NST saying.<\/p>\n
NST also reported Mr Anwar saying his government would continue to act firmly against Rohingya refugees who disrupted public spaces and traffic, and that he has \u201cinstructed the police and border authorities that I do not want Rohingya disrupting roads or public places\u201d.<\/p>\n
The CNA programme also expressly clarified that the approximately 1,500 Myanmar nationals recently repatriated from Malaysia did not include Rohingya.<\/p>\n
\u201cCNA stands by its reporting, which was based on attributable sources and presented with appropriate context, including the Myanmar government\u2019s position. We remain committed to accurate, balanced, and contextual journalism,\u201d said Mr Heng.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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