KEPALA BATAS: The Rohingya settlement in Kampung Kuala Muda here now lies deserted, with many houses left vacant following the eviction.
Most houses were locked and appeared to have been abandoned in haste, with several motorcycles remained parked outside, a check by The Star revealed.
Personal belongings, including clothing, household items and cooking utensils, were still visible inside some of the vacant houses.
Makeshift fish-drying racks, fishing gear and children’s bicycles were also left behind.
Locals said the refugees had rented the village houses for about RM200 a month, with many having lived there for years.
Kuala Muda Village Development and Security Committee chairman Yahaya Mohamed Ismail said the Rohingya population had grown to more than 400 over the past decade, with most arriving in 2012.
“When I first became village chief, only 12 houses were occupied by them. Before they were relocated on Sunday, the number had risen to 33.
“Allowing them to remain would have resulted in the village being overwhelmed, which could lead to social problems if left unchecked,” said Yahaya, who is also the Kuala Muda Fishermen’s Unit head.
He said some of the refugees worked as crew members on fishing boats, while others were employed in the construction sector. Most of the women, meanwhile, stayed at home.
Yahaya claimed that a small number of Rohingya men had ridden motorcycles recklessly without licences, endangering other road users and causing several accidents.
He dismissed claims by some refugees that they had been mistreated during the eviction, saying the relocation plan had been made known more than a month in advance.
“We informed them and held several meetings beforehand. Two representatives from the Rohingya community attended the meetings and agreed to the relocation plan,” he said.
North Seberang Perai OCPD Asst Comm Anuar Abdul Rahman said the relocation was prompted by growing competition over economic opportunities and living space in the area.
The move was carried out voluntarily by the refugees and coordinated by the National Unity Department, the Penang government, the National Security Council, representatives of the local community and the Rohingya community, with police overseeing the operation to ensure public safety and order.
Fisherman Mohd Zaini Ishak, 47, claimed that the refugees generally did not maintain cleanliness in the settlement and had little interaction with local residents.
“I do feel sorry for them, but something had to be done. We don’t want the next generation to face a situation where the community becomes too large and creates problems for the local population,” he said.
