Frenzy in Shah Alam as hundreds swarm clothing store during sale
One RELA officer hurt as fights reportedly broke out among shoppers as they jostle for clothes as cheap as RM1
CHAOS broke out at a clothing store in Shah Alam, Selangor, after it offered a bonanza promotion sale on Saturday (1 April).
According to social-media videos on TikTok and Twitter, the crowd frenzy at the Starvilion store was caused by the sale for a Baju Raya collection, ahead of the upcoming Hari Raya Puasa celebrations.
According to Astro Awani, clothes were offered for as low as RM1 for the first 100 customers. while the next 50 customers would get a free kurta shirt.
Hundreds of people had reportedly queued for hours outside the store, even before the doors opened on Saturday morning.
Many shoppers could be seen in the social-media videos rushing into the store, jostling with one another and flinging items around. Fights also reportedly broke out among the shoppers.
One officer from Malaysia’s People's Volunteer Corps (RELA), who was on the scene to maintain order, was reportedly injured and escorted away from the crowd by a colleague.
Operations ceased after complaint
Online comments have flooded social media criticising the store for lack of crowd control, safety and preparation. Others slammed the shoppers for their uncivilised behaviour.
The incident has been compared to the Itaewon crowd crush that killed hundreds in South Korea last October.
According to New Straits Times, Starvilion was ordered to cease its operations by district police after a complaint was received at around 10.30am on Saturday.
Astro Awani reported that Shah Alam police chief Mohd Iqbal Ibrahim said that more than 500 people had crowded the store and were “pushing, shoving and causing public disorder”.
He advised the public against being "too emotional" over promotions during the festive season and reminded business owners to be considerate to prevent similar future incidents.
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