Yellow-clad flashmob defies KLCC injunction threat

Close to 100 people in a flashmob staged a protest against the Peaceful Assembly Bill at KLCC today despite an earlier injunction threat from the shopping complex's management.

Mostly clad in yellow, the group converged at the KLCC Centre Court in front of its towering Christmas tree decorations, posing for the camera.

Together in chorus they sang out "Kill the Bill" and "Happy Human Rights Day" as they posed for a group picture under the watchful eyes of five security guards.

The group went on to sing the national anthem and 'Jingle Bells' as curious shoppers watched, before distributing yellow cream cupcakes to those present.

They also celebrated the global Human Rights Day which is observed on this date.

Earlier, the the group had done their respective shopping at KLCC, an activity which was included as part of its flashmob's aims for the day after the management's warning of action against "out of the ordinary" behaviour.

The receipts were submitted to the flashmob organisers as evidence that they were conforming to the norms of "shopping, dining and leisure-related acitivities".

One of the organisers, Vienna Looi (right), said on top of opposing the Peaceful Assembly Bill, today's flashmob was intended to prove that people could assemble peacefully.

"A flashmob is very harmless, we just come here to sing and do other activities but they feel so threatened and want to get an injunction to stop the flashmob.

"They said the tenants will incur losses but we want to show that peaceful assembly does not cause losses," she said.

She added that all receipts will be compiled and a final sum will be published later to prove that such events can be business-friendly.

Flashmob coincides with Najib's visit

On Thursday, KLCC lawyers had sent warning letters via Facebookto the flashmob organisers, warning them of a court injunction.

That event coincided with a visit by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to officially launch the Permata Expo at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, a stone's throw away from the shopping complex.

"The presence of Najib and Rosmah might have pressured them to issue the letter," said Looi.

Asked if the movement was still focussed on opposing the Peaceful Assembly Bill as the KLCC management becomes involved, Looi said the objective was to make peaceful assembly a norm.

"The purpose is more long-term, we want to make peaceful assembly as a mainstream activity so that society's (perception) will slowly start to change, not just the bill, the bill is just the start."

She also thanked the KLCC security for allowing the flashmob to proceed without incident.

However, Malaysiakini was not allowed to shoot videos for "security reasons".

Several other activitists were also present, including human rights lawyer Fadiah Nadwa Fikri, who said it was necessary to make a stand against the bill.

"Today, we are here to stop the repressive peaceful assembly bill passed recently and to exercise our right to gather peacefully."


The bill is an insult and an affront constitutional guarantee, Fadiah (left) said while showing her RM55 purchase of a book, 'You Cannot be Neutral on a Moving Train'.

Today's flashmob is the third consecutive weeks of protest against the Peaceful Assembly Bill and the killthebill.org movement has vowed to carry out "more creative" activities next week.