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SHAH ALAM – Malaysians in France have reported contrasting experiences amid demonstrations that turned violent in several cities, with some encountering tear gas, looting and transport disruptions while others said they remained safe in calmer areas.
Actor and former Dewi Remaja contestant Sharmaine Alexander sought to reassure Malaysians concerned by videos of the unrest circulating online, saying the footage did not necessarily reflect conditions throughout Paris.
In a Threads post, she said the area around her remained peaceful.
“From what I’ve seen, the situation around me is peaceful,” she said.
Sharmaine added that the demonstrations on Oct 17 had taken place according to their permitted schedule, allowing her to continue exploring the French capital without encountering any problems.
She said she remained mindful of her surroundings but had been safe so far.
Sharmaine also cautioned that repeatedly watching the same videos online could make the situation appear more alarming than conditions in other parts of the city.
Her experience contrasted with that of Malaysian filmmaker and actor Afdlin Shauki, who recounted a frightening encounter with tear gas while visiting Paris with his family.
In a Facebook post, Afdlin said his family had encountered a demonstration while walking near the Louvre Museum after spending several days in Cannes for the MIPCOM event.
He said the situation escalated as people began running, shopkeepers hurried to close their premises and police officers arrived in the area.
The family initially took shelter in a shop before moving away, but they encountered further unrest and sought refuge in a restaurant.
According to Afdlin, tear gas was later released outside the restaurant and entered the premises, causing his wife to experience eye irritation and leaving him with chest tightness.
His young child also complained of breathing difficulties.
“Cannot breathe, cannot breathe,” the child said, according to Afdlin's account.
Afdlin said he was frightened as he tried to keep his family safe.
However, he also praised the strangers who helped protect his family, saying people inside the restaurant moved them to the rear section, away from the windows, and repeatedly checked on their welfare.
The family eventually managed to leave after waiting for some time, although their journey back was disrupted by closed Metro stations, restricted routes and a heavy police presence.
Afdlin later confirmed that his family was safe and thanked those who had provided shelter and assistance.
Reflecting on the incident, he urged social media users not to generalise entire communities based on negative portrayals online.
He acknowledged that others might have experienced hostility but said the people who helped his family had shown compassion when they needed it most.
Other Malaysians report disruptions
Malaysian entrepreneur and influencer Mia Azahar also shared her experience after travelling by train from London to Paris.
In a Threads post, she said several roads were closed and travellers could find themselves caught in affected areas even if they were not involved in the demonstrations.
She advised travellers to avoid areas experiencing unrest and monitor updates on demonstrations and transport disruptions.
Mia also referred to a possible nationwide strike on Nov 5, although the date and details should be checked against official announcements.
Other Malaysians on Threads shared their experiences, highlighting how conditions varied across the French capital.
One user, @hehegongju, asked fellow Malaysians travelling in Paris whether they were safe.
Another user, @D._.de3, said they had walked 5km to reach their apartment but described the situation as manageable at the time.
In a subsequent post, the same user said some roads remained closed and several shops and boutiques had been looted.
Meanwhile, @liliabroad.my said they had left an area before the situation worsened while shopping the previous afternoon.
The user also advised travellers to follow reliable updates on affected locations, demonstration timings and transport routes.
Another user, @laveniya_ling, said they were safe, adding that disturbances in their area were less severe than in Paris, Marseille or Nice.
Similarly, @ammoare said some areas continued to experience disturbances, while most tourist areas had remained relatively calm.
The accounts highlighted the varying conditions across France and the importance of checking local updates rather than relying solely on viral footage.
Malaysia advises travellers to reconsider non-essential trips
The Foreign Ministry advised Malaysians on Oct 18 to consider postponing non-essential travel to France until the situation improved.
In a statement, the ministry said it was monitoring developments and that no Malaysians had been reported to be involved in or adversely affected by the demonstrations at the time.
The Malaysian Embassy in Paris also urged Malaysians to remain vigilant, avoid demonstration areas and follow updates from local authorities.
The ministry encouraged Malaysians living in France to update their contact details with the embassy and urged those planning to travel there to register through its e-Konsular platform.
The demonstrations intensified on Oct 17, when about 550,000 people took part in nationwide rallies, according to figures from France's Interior Ministry reported by international media.
While many demonstrators gathered peacefully, some protests descended into violence, with clashes involving police, looting and damage to buildings reported in several cities.
The unrest followed weeks of student protests over school facilities, teacher shortages and learning conditions. The demonstrations also drew support from people voicing wider grievances over the cost of living and public services.
For Malaysians already in France, the Foreign Ministry advised them to exercise caution, avoid affected areas and stay informed through official channels.
