Low Yat brawl: "Everyone just wants to earn a living"

Plaza Low Yat's Special Security Unit chief, Goh Teong Huat hoped this issue will no longer be blown out of proportion as it did not only disrupt national unity but could also hamper the economic progression of the society.

If there was any element of racism involved in the incident, his six Malay employees would not have remained silent while the Malay men who were accused of stealing were beaten up, he said in a Berita Harian report.

"Please stop. Everyone just wants to make an earning, no one wants to fight.

"I'm sure if the thief had been Chinese, he would also be detained and possibly beaten up despite the place being largely occupied by Chinese traders. This is not about racism but theft," he reportedly said.

According to Goh, the incident would jeopardise businesses at the mall where 35 percent of businesses there are owned or run by Malays.

He also said the relationship between the diverse groups of people in Malaysia has to be preserved.

"Since the May 13, 1969 tragedy, I'm proud with how the Malays, Chinese and Indians have looked past that and remain united and in harmony, and I hope this can continue forever," he said.

According to him, the actions of some unscrupulous people will only worsen the situation.

He urged the parties trying to stir a racial commotion from the incident to stop their malicious intent.

"Don't add fuel to the flames that can ruin the relationship between the Malays and Chinese," he added.

In the 7.50pm incident on July 11, seven men ran amok after a friend of theirs was apprehended for allegedly stealing a mobile phone from a trader at Low Yat Plaza.

The men had also assaulted several attendants and caused a ruckus at the store, damaging several electronic products in the process.

The suspected thief was believed to have been taken into custody by the plaza's security guard before being handed over to the police, leading his friends to take matters into their own hands.

The alleged thief, a 22-year-old unemployed, Shahrul Anuar Abdul Aziz, had pleaded not guilty at the Kuala Lumpur magistrate's court last Tuesday and was released on RM3,000 bail.