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Police link Molotov cocktail attack on Rohingya settlement to viral video

Authorities in Johor have identified a provocative online video as a potential trigger for an early morning firebombing that targeted multiple homes in a Rohingya settlement. The incident has renewed concerns about communal tensions in the state.

LSN Malaysia · 13 October 2026

Police in Johor Bahru said they are investigating links between a viral video clip and a Molotov cocktail attack that struck a Rohingya residential area in Kulai during the early hours of a recent morning. Multiple homes were targeted in what investigators are treating as an arson attack, though no casualties were immediately reported.

The inflammatory nature of the online content is being examined as a possible catalyst for the violence, according to police statements. Authorities have intensified efforts to identify those responsible for the attack and determine whether the video played a direct role in motivating the perpetrators.

The incident has heightened concerns among local communities and civil society observers regarding rising tensions and the spread of divisive content on social media platforms. Police urged the public to refrain from sharing inflammatory materials and warned that such actions could lead to violence and criminal liability.

Investigations into the attack are ongoing, with authorities appealing for witness information. The police have also emphasized their commitment to ensuring the safety of all residents, regardless of ethnicity or background, and have increased patrols in affected areas.