Facing the strategic Straits of Malacca is the densely populated Bukit Malut, part of it comprising wooden houses built on stilts above the water. The scene is reminiscent of the traditional water villages found in Sabah.
For more than four decades, since its establishment, the settlement has been labelled a ‘Rohingya area’ and associated with undocumented migrants. A glance at social media reveals little in the way of positive commentary about Bukit Malut, located 20 kilometres from Kuah town.
Despite explanations by the authorities and other stakeholders that the villagers are not Rohingyas (refugees from Myanmar), most Malaysians continue to view them with suspicion.
