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Myanmar government rejects use of term ‘Rohingya’ in CNA programme, says Rohingya ‘never existed’ as an ethnic identity

By · Published by Everything Blog

In short

The diplomatic pushback followed an Oct. 15 episode of CNA's weekly programme Insight, which examined the domestic challenges Malaysia faces regarding displaced refugees. Through its embassy in Singapore, the Myanmar junta denounced the broadcast as fabricated propaganda, with Chargé d'Affaires Zaw Minn Aung issuing a formal protest letter to CNA's editor-in-chief. CNA stood by the report, noting it adhered to global journalistic standards and properly documented Myanmar's official stance, including statements from Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Meanwhile, Myanmar highlighted its ongoing repatriation efforts, pointing to the return of 8,041 verified nationals by air and 1,476 by na…

Key points

  • Myanmar continues to officially reject the name Rohingya, insisting colonial censuses rec…: Myanmar continues to officially reject the name Rohingya, insisting colonial censuses recognize the group only as Bengali.
  • CNA stood firmly behind its reporting, asserting that it provided balanced context alongs…: CNA stood firmly behind its reporting, asserting that it provided balanced context alongside official perspectives from regional leaders.
  • The Myanmar embassy stated that the country has repatriated thousands of verified citizen…: The Myanmar embassy stated that the country has repatriated thousands of verified citizens using naval vessels and commercial flights.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

CNA stands by its reporting, which was based on attributable sources and presented with appropriate context, including the Myanmar government’s position.

SINGAPORE: The Myanmar military government has taken issue with a recent CNA current affairs programme which examined the plight of the Rohingya community in Malaysia - alleging that some information was “unsubstantiated by historical evidence” and allegations that could undermine Myanmar’s image.

In a statement dated Oct 22, which was put up on the website of Myanmar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Myanmar embassy in Singapore said: “Myanmar categorically rejects the nomenclature that falsely claims the so-called ‘Rohingya’ as an ethnic identity which has never existed in Myanmar. The term ‘Bengali’ has existed in Myanmar as proven by historical official records, including the censuses during the British colonial administration. Therefore, the remarks using such terminology are unacceptable.”

In response, CNA executive producer Daniel Heng pointed out that the use of the term “Rohingya” is consistent with established international usage and widely accepted journalistic practice.

The term Rohingya is used by major international organisations, including the United Nations, the United…

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