Bds Malaysia Slams Klcc Mall Over Treatment Of Palestine Protesters

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Pro-Palestine group Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) Malaysia has hit out at Suria KLCC management after several participants of a protest against the Gaza genocide were denied entry into the mall yesterday.
According to the group, treating those who protest against genocide and in support of Palestinian rights as “potential security threats” may be expected in pro-Zionist countries - but “should never happen in Malaysia”.
“The actions of the Suria KLCC security staff are nothing short of disgraceful and have tarnished the global image of the Malaysian government as one that is firmly on the side of Palestine,” it said in a statement.
BDS Malaysia urged the mall management to apologise to those mistreated by its security guards, particularly former Batu MP Tian Chua, who was caught in an altercation with mall personnel.
ADSThe group also expressed disappointment with Suria KLCC’s subsequent statement, which attempted to justify the incident by citing concerns over a “long wooden stick” attached to a Palestinian flag.
“This reasoning does not hold water as other patrons who wore keffiyehs or carried pro-Palestinian posters were also prevented from entering,” it said.
“Malaysia has consistently expressed strong support for the struggle of the Palestinian people. This incident undermines that stand,” the group added.
Safety procedure
Last night, Suria KLCC’s management defended its security guards, saying they acted “in line with long-standing safety procedures” to prohibit items that could pose a safety risk or disrupt the comfort of patrons.
“We would like to clarify that this is a standard security measure that applies to all visitors, and we wish to reassure the public that our actions were not based on any political stance,” it said.
Chua, a former PKR vice-president, said he intervened when a protester was stopped by a security officer attempting to confiscate her Palestinian flag.
He further claimed the mall’s guards had targeted individuals with Palestinian flags and attire, who were earlier involved in a protest opposing US President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit to Malaysia for the Asean Summit 2025.
A group of 23 NGOs had previously urged Putrajaya to cancel Trump’s trip, arguing that the US’ role in Israel’s ongoing genocide against Palestinians runs contrary to Malaysia’s clear moral stance on the “humanitarian catastrophe” in Gaza. - Mkini

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