2015 Plaza Low Yat riot

Riot in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 2015 Plaza Low Yat riot A policeman checking a Proton Wira damaged during the Low Yat riot. 2015 7 11 5:40 p.m. (UTC+8) Jalan Imbi, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Plaza Low Yat Misunderstandings related to smartphones with racial incitement by various mediahttps://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/why-theft-case-escalated-to-race-brawl Why theft case escalated to race brawl Shannon Teoh The Straits Times 2015-07-19 2020-11-08 en Losses are estimated at more than RM70,000 5 18https://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2015/07/13/Low-Yat-18-arrested/ 18 arrested in Low Yat brawl aftermath Farik Zolkepli The Star 2015-07-13 2026-06-04 On 12 July 2015, a riot occurred at Plaza Low Yat, a major electronics shopping center in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The incident attracted widespread media attention and raised concerns about racial tensions in the country. Five people, including a journalist, were injured during the unrest, while businesses suffered significant property damage.Su-Lyn Boo 2015-07-14 Low Yat was about racism, deal with it https://www.malaymail.com/news/opinion/2015/07/14/low-yat-was-about-racism-deal-with-it/932887 2026-06-04 Malay Mail en The disturbances originated from an incident the previous day involving the theft of a smartphone from a Chinese-owned mobile phone outlet. According to police investigations, a Malay man was caught stealing a smartphone and was subsequently handed over to the authorities. Police later maintained that the case was a straightforward theft and rejected claims circulating online that the dispute had involved the sale of a counterfeit phone. Following the arrest, the suspect reportedly returned with a group of associates who assaulted employees of the mobile phone shop and vandalised the premises. The attack caused an estimated RM70,000 in losses and affected workers who had been carrying out their duties at the store.2015-07-12 Brawl erupts at tech mall Low Yat Plaza in Kuala Lumpur when thugs smash up shop https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/brawl-erupts-at-tech-mall-low-yat-plaza-in-kuala-lumpur-when-thugs-smash-up-shop 2026-06-04 The Straits Times en 0585-3923 Despite police statements regarding the nature of the incident, rumours rapidly spread on social media portraying Chinese traders as dishonest and accusing them of cheating Malay customers. These allegations were not supported by police findings, yet they gained significant traction online and contributed to growing hostility towards the Chinese business community associated with Plaza Low Yat. On the evening of 12 July, a crowd gathered outside the shopping centre and the situation escalated into a riot. Videos circulated online showing groups attacking a vehicle carrying passengers and assaulting journalists from Chinese-language media organisations. The attacks on journalists drew particular concern as members of the press became targets while covering the events. The unrest was accompanied by a wave of racially charged messages on social media, including calls to boycott Chinese businesses through hashtags such as "#BoikotCinaPenipu" ("Boycott Cheating Chinese"). Some posts portrayed the Chinese community as responsible for the incident despite the police conclusion that it originated from an theft. Other messages promoted racial division and included threats of violence. Videos from the gathering also showed individuals delivering speeches that invoked racial sentiments. One speaker described Malaysia as "bumi Melayu" and accused the Chinese community of humiliating Malays. Such racial remarks further intensified tensions and shifted public attention away from the original criminal case toward broader racial issues. Authorities condemned the violence and arrested 18 individuals in connection with the disturbances. The riot highlighted how misinformation and racially charged remarks could rapidly inflame tensions, while Chinese business owners, employees, journalists, and members of the public became among those directly affected by the violence.Kaur Kiranjit May 2020 Bloggers, framing and netizens’ reactions: Analysis of the Plaza Low Yat incident https://www.researchgate.net/publication/341070600_Bloggers_framing_and_netizens'_reactions_Analysis_of_the_Plaza_Low_Yat_incident live ResearchGate 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.https://www.bharian.com.my/node/67803 Insiden Low Yat bukan isu perkauman, tapi perbuatan jenayah - Najib Berita Harian 2015-07-13 2015-07-13 ms 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.https://www.bharian.com.my/node/68770 Plaza Low Yat masih jadi pilihan beli barangan IT Berita Harian 2018-05-31 2015-07-18 ms References Category:2015 in Malaysia Category:2015 riots Category:2010s in Kuala Lumpur Category:Riots and civil disorder in Malaysia