Business back to normal at Low Yat Plaza

Business is back as usual at Low Yat Plaza in Bukit Bintang here, which saw ugly scenes Saturday and Sunday.

There were clashes and riots at an around the plaza after a number of people took the law into their own hands to protect a man who was accused of stealing a smartphone at an outlet at the shopping complex.

Checks by Bernama at the mall which is popular among buyers of information and communication technology (ICT) items found that it had begun operating as usual from 10am.

Apart from local visitors, several groups of foreign tourists also took the opportunity to visit a number of premises to purchase mobile phones and computer equipment.

Several policemen were seen patrolling inside and outside of the plaza, and there was also a mobile police station placed in vicinity of the building.

A visitor, Zulkifli Tahir, 52, said he was visiting the ICT mall to pick up his laptop, which had been repaired on Sunday.

"Although the news spread on social networking sites said the situation here was bad, I was confident that the authorities would maintain security here," he said.

A technician, Kamal Rashid Razak, said the incident should not be exaggerated by any party, particularly by disseminating information that was not authentic.

"Not all of the information we read on the social networking sites are true. We should not easily believe and spread such information, either orally, or through social media," said the 27-year-old.

The fighting incident there on Saturday which went viral on social media was alleged to be due to a fraud of selling a cloned smartphone, but the police investigations found that the case involved allegations of stealing a smartphone.

Former Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Musa Hasan advised the public to seek valid information, and not to believe rumours circulating in social media to avoid such incidents from occurring again.

"Those who gathered and caused chaos at the Low Yat Plaza compound on Sunday, can be prosecuted under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.

"It is an offence to gather in large numbers without prior permission from the police," he said when contacted.

He said it was a criminal case and not racial one and therefore, he hoped no parties would take advantage of the incident by aggravating the situation and hurling seditious words.

1Malaysia Foundation trustee Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said the incident stemmed from a crime, and it should not be linked with racial clashes.

"All parties should be rational, rather than emotional on this issue. Unlawful actions will only lead to an insecure atmosphere," he said.

Meanwhile, Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs Ministry director for the federal capital, Muez Abd Aziz said the department was monitoring the plaza, following allegations that counterfeit goods were being sold there.

"Officials have begun to go down to the scene to monitor the situation, besides investigating the allegations and gathering information," he said.

Muez said the monitoring would be done continuously, to safeguard the rights of consumers, and avoid them from being deceived.