Rohingya Activist Noor Azizah Accused of Badmouthing Malaysia for Funding

Kuala Lumpur: The action of Rohingya activist Noor Azizah, who has now set her Instagram account to private, is seen as an indication that pressure from Malaysians is having an effect.

International Law Professor from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Prof Dr Salawati Mat Basir said the move is a clear indication after many Malaysians criticised the individual on social media, including lodging complaints to the university, Mary Claire and the Australian government.

“If we look, after she criticised us, many people attacked her on social media, including lodging complaints to the university, Mary Claire, the Australian government and the relevant social media platforms.

“She (Noor Azizah) could not withstand the pressure, which is why she set her social media account to private. If we just let her be, she will continue to badmouth Malaysia because she profits from doing so,” she told Harian Metro here today.

Salawati said this after being asked to comment on Harian Metro’s checks which found that Noor Azizah’s Instagram account has been set to private mode.

In fact, Malaysians on various social media platforms have continuously condemned the activist, including running campaigns to report Noor Azizah’s social media accounts.

Salawati also claimed that the individual has ties with several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Malaysia which, according to her, receive funding from parties she described as pro-Zionist.

“When I looked at the information sent to me, it seemed logical. In my view, individuals like this obtain funding through such means.

“That is why they are given space and recognition. That is a common tactic. When individuals like this are highlighted, the international community becomes more sympathetic towards Rohingya refugees.

“The higher the sympathy received, the more invitations they get and the more funding they receive,” she said.

She said Noor Azizah does not help the Rohingya community as often portrayed.

“I was contacted by the Rohingya community in Australia. They claimed she does not help them, and even isolates herself from the Rohingya community there.

“So, where is the assistance she claims to provide? To my knowledge, there is none,” she said.

Commenting on allegations regarding Noor Azizah’s links to pro-Zionist parties, Salawati said she believes the individual receives funding from parties that support the movement.

“Not directly Zionist, but those providing the funding are pro-Zionist. Such movements will badmouth a country so that its people become divided and the situation becomes unstable. That is common in geopolitical strategy.

“Noor Azizah’s action of setting her Instagram account to private shows that pressure from Malaysians is having an effect. If she were truly brave and sincere in her stance, why would she need to set her account to private?” she said.

Salawati also commented on Malaysians’ actions in lodging complaints to the university concerned.

“Malaysians made complaints to the university and it received the impact. They probably did not expect the reaction from Asians to be like this,” she said.

Harian Metro