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Hadi Azmi

The operators of the shopping centre at the base of Malaysia’s Petronas Twin Towers faced backlash on Monday after pro-Palestine protesters were forcibly removed by security as they entered the building at the end of a rally.
Malaysia has long taken pride in being Southeast Asia’s most vocal supporter of the Palestinian cause, meaning actions taken against those protesting against Israel’s assault on Gaza can quickly whip up public outrage.
Former member of parliament Chua Tian Chang was manhandled by security staff on Saturday while attempting to come to the aid of a woman who entered the shopping centre with a Palestinian flag on a wooden pole.
The incident was caught on video and went viral. In it, a woman can be heard shouting, “He’s an old man. Give him some respect,” amid chants of “Free, free Palestine” in the background.
The management of Suria KLCC, one of Kuala Lumpur’s premier shopping centres, said the wooden stick posed a safety risk to patrons, denying any political stance behind removing the woman and the flag.

But in a statement on Monday, BDS Malaysia, the local chapter of the global anti-Israeli boycott, divest and sanction movement, described the reaction of the security staff as “disgraceful”, saying it was “understandable in pro-Zionist countries” but not in Malaysia.
“It should never happen in Malaysia, a country that has consistently expressed strong support for the cause of freedom and justice for Palestinians,” BDS Malaysia said.
The group, which has led flash mobs and consumer boycotts of businesses in Malaysia deemed to have Israeli ownership or backing, called the mall’s statement “ill-conceived”. Other prospective patrons who wore Palestinian keffiyeh, or headscarves, and carried pro-Palestinian posters were also not allowed to enter.
Some Malaysians online echoed the pro-Palestinian movement’s remarks, saying it was jarring for such a display of solidarity to be curtailed.
“Just two weeks ago we had a large pro-Palestine festival at the Independence Square for the global flotilla, with the prime minister speaking on the stage,” said Shami Azizi, who works nearby the shopping centre.
Others said that the protesters had crossed the line, noting the mall was private property and so had the right to ban politically motivated activities within its premises.
The 140,000 square metre (1.5 million square foot) shopping centre houses international fashion brands like Rolex, Louis Vuitton and Hugo Boss, as well as a cineplex, two supermarkets, department stores and an art gallery. Its park, which has a playground and paddling pool for children, is popular with locals and tourists alike.
“Just because it’s at our most iconic landmark doesn’t mean it’s a public space,” said shopper Suraya Abdul Rashid at the mall on Monday. “They already did a good job marching outside the mall after all”.


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Suria KLCC management said the wooden flagpoles the protesters were carrying were a safety risk


Suria KLCC management said the wooden flagpoles the protesters were carrying were a safety risk.


Malaysian mall faces backlash after security clashes with pro-Palestine protesters

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Suria KLCC management said the wooden flagpoles the protesters were carrying were a safety risk

Suria KLCC management said the wooden flagpoles the protesters were carrying were a safety risk