Malaysian human rights groups are raising concerns about increasing hostility towards Rohingya refugees following a viral petition calling for their removal from the country, which has garnered nearly half a million signatures. The petition urges the government to resettle the Rohingya elsewhere or support their return to Myanmar.

Malaysia’s human rights groups have warned of rising hostility towards Rohingya refugees after a petition shared widely on social media calling for the community to be “removed” from the country amassed nearly half a million signatures. The petition, launched on Change.org late last month by an account using the name “Aku Anak Malaysia”, urges the Malaysian government to consider resettling the Rohingya in another country or providing “enhanced support in their home regions” in Myanmar. It...