Kesidang assemblyman bans foreign nationals, particularly Rohingya, from holding open-area events to prevent local disputes and disturbances.
MELAKA: Foreign nationals, particularly the Rohingya ethnic group residing in Kesidang state constituency are not allowed to organise any programmes or celebrations in open areas to avoid disputes or disturbances to local residents.
Kesidang state assemblyman Allex Seah Shoo Chin said the decision was finalised together with the Village Development and Security Committee (JPKK), as well as several authorities and other government agencies.
He said that if the Rohingya community still wished to organise community programmes or celebrations, they were advised to hold them at suitable premises such as rented restaurants or appropriate halls and permitted venues.
“Previously, there were members of the Rohingya community who held a community programme in Kampung Limbongan, which caused discomfort and disrupted harmony among local residents due to loud music and the presence of groups from outside the village.
“Recently, I received a notification letter stating that Rohingya residents in the same village intended to hold a wedding ceremony and for this time, approval was not granted as a measure to control any undesirable issues or situations,” he told reporters after conducting a visit to Kampung Kolam in Limbongan here today.
Seah, who is also Melaka Exco for Entrepreneur Development, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs was joined by JPKK members of the area, as well as the police, the Melaka Historic City Council (MBMB) and Immigration Department in the visit.
He said there are between 100 and 200 Rohingyas resided in Limbongan, and among the issues requiring attention are concerns among locals over some of these foreign nationals allegedly riding motorcycles dangerously and with noisy exhausts in the area.
“In addition, most of the Rohingyas in this area own vehicles such as cars and motorcycles, even though under the law they are not allowed to obtain driving licences. We cannot drive them away; instead, we will enforce existing laws to ensure the safety of local residents are not affected,” he said.
Meanwhile, Kampung Limbongan resident Rina Hashim, 50, urged the state government to give serious attention on the Rohingyas as their number appeared to be increasing over time, resulting in Limbongan, particularly Kampung Kolam to be densely-populated by the group and effectively forming their own enclave.
“At times, buses brought Rohingyas into the village at night to settle here, and they are becoming increasingly unruly and disrespectful towards local residents. Most of them own vehicles and park indiscriminately, besides riding motorcycles at high speed within the village,” she added.
