How do anti-Rohingya statements affect migrants’ willingness to get vaccinated?

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Anti-Rohingya Rhetoric Will Deter Migrant Vaccination Efforts

Statements by Malaysian officials targeting Rohingya and other migrants will likely drive undocumented populations further into hiding, significantly hindering the nation's ability to achieve herd immunity against Covid-19. This reluctance stems from a fear of arrest and abuse, which prevents the necessary compliance and consent for widespread vaccination. For Malaysia to reach the 80% vaccination threshold required for herd immunity, a fundamental shift towards offering protection to all migrants is essential.
Governmental Statements Fuel Fear Among Migrants

Recent public statements by Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin and Immigration Director-General Datuk Khairul Dzaimee Daud have been perceived as hostile towards the Rohingya and other migrant communities. This rhetoric exacerbates existing anxieties among undocumented individuals, who already face precarious living conditions and fear detention or deportation. Such an environment discourages them from engaging with public health initiatives, including vaccination programs, for fear of increased scrutiny and enforcement actions.
Undocumented Migrants Crucial for Herd Immunity

Achieving herd immunity in Malaysia is widely understood to require the vaccination of approximately 80% of the adult population, a figure that must encompass both documented and undocumented migrants. The presence of millions of undocumented migrants in Malaysia means their participation is not merely beneficial but critical for the nation's recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. Without their consent and cooperation, the goal of widespread immunity remains unattainable.
Protection is Key to Gaining Migrant Compliance

The current climate of fear and potential for arrest and abuse actively deters undocumented migrants from seeking vaccination. To overcome this barrier and secure the necessary compliance, a guarantee of protection from detention and mistreatment is paramount. Offering such assurances would create a safer environment, encouraging migrants to come forward for vaccination and thereby contributing to the collective public health effort.
Past Malaysian Stance Contrasted with Current Approach

Malaysia has historically shown a degree of advocacy and concern for the Rohingya, with previous administrations, including those under Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, engaging in diplomatic efforts and providing humanitarian aid. The establishment of a field hospital in Cox's Bazar by the Malaysian Armed Forces in 2017 exemplifies this past engagement. The current government's more hard-line and xenophobic approach, however, has eroded regional goodwill and jeopardised public health goals, particularly in the context of the ongoing pandemic.

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How do anti-Rohingya statements affect migrants’ willingness to get vaccinated?

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