2015 Plaza Low Yat riot
A policeman checking a Proton Wira damaged during the Low Yat riot.
DateJuly 12, 2015; 8 years ago (2015-07-12)
LocationJalan Imbi, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
CauseMisunderstandings related to smartphones with racial incitement by various media[1]
TargetPlaza Low Yat
OutcomeLosses are estimated at more than RM70,000
Non-fatal injuries3

On 12 July 2015, a riot occurred at Plaza Low Yat, Jalan Imbi, Kuala Lumpur.[2] Three people were injured including a journalist during the commotion.[3] This riot had been widely covered in the Malaysian mass media. Police believed that the riots occurred following a fight involving seven men at Plaza Low Yat, over alleged theft and a misunderstanding of smartphones,[4] with losses estimated at over RM70,000.[5] A total of 18 people were reportedly arrested for being involved in the riot.[6]

Aftermath

Following the riot, the Prime Minister at the time, Najib Razak insisted that the incident should be seen as a criminal act and not a racial problem. Najib described the actions of some parties who used social media to incite the racial element in the incident as irresponsible and gave an inaccurate perspective on what actually happened. He also asked the Inspector-General of Police, Khalid Abu Bakar to take effective action to prevent similar incidents from happening again.[7] Five days after the riots, Plaza Low Yat continued to be the main choice for visitors to buy mobile phones as well as computers and software.[8]

References

  1. ^ Teoh, Shannon (2015-07-19). "Why theft case escalated to race brawl". The Straits Times. Retrieved 2020-11-08.
  2. ^ Lopez, Greg. "Low Yat Riot In Malaysia -- Racial Or Something Else?". Forbes.com. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
  3. ^ Rahman, Abdul Hakim (2015-07-15). "Tiga cedera rushan dekat Plaza Low Yat". Astro Awani. Retrieved 2018-05-29.
  4. ^ Suparmaniam, Suganthi (14 July 2015). "Low Yat brawl: How it all started". Astro Awani. Retrieved 21 September 2018.
  5. ^ Mahdini, Hayaty (2015-07-13). "Hanya Kerana Sebuah Telefon Bimbit, Low Yat Plaza Diserang 200 Perusuh". Says.com. Retrieved 2018-05-31.
  6. ^ Auto, Hermes (2015-07-13). "Police say 18 rioters arrested as calm returns to KL's Low Yat Plaza | The Straits Times". www.straitstimes.com. Retrieved 2023-01-01.
  7. ^ "Insiden Low Yat bukan isu perkauman, tapi perbuatan jenayah - Najib". Berita Harian (in Malay). 2015-07-13. Retrieved 2015-07-13.
  8. ^ "Plaza Low Yat masih jadi pilihan beli barangan IT". Berita Harian (in Malay). 2015-07-18. Retrieved 2018-05-31.
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