Slipper thrown, lobby fittings damaged after Palestinians denied permission to leave Wisma Transit

PETALING JAYA: A slipper was thrown at an officer and property was damaged after a group of Palestinians allegedly became upset after reportedly being denied permission to stay outside Wisma Transit Kuala Lumpur (WTKL).

“It is believed that there were some Palestinians who were unhappy because enforcement officers did not allow one of them to stay outside," read a statement issued by the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) on Friday (Oct 4).

"The person involved then got upset and caused a commotion in front of the WTKL guard station with family and friends," it added.

It was understood that on Wednesday (Oct 2), WTKL – a hospitality complex primarily serving military personnel, civilian staff members of the Defence Ministry and their families in transit – denied the group's request to leave the premises, as they were only in Malaysia for transit purposes.

“The officer on duty also asked those involved to leave the area.

"They then entered the main lobby of WTKL, caused a commotion and went on a rampage by breaking vases and damaging the decorations there,” the statement added.

One member of the group then allegedly threw a slipper at an officer, it said.

"Representatives of the Palestinian Embassy were also present and tried to (stop) the commotion but were unsuccessful,” the statement read.

Videos of the incident have since gone viral.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin has appealed to the public to refrain from blaming the entire Palestinian refugee community for the misdeeds of a few.

"Not all (are like that). Only a handful who are enduring high stress (in their life)," he said in a brief text message to a news portal.