KUALA LUMPUR, July 13 — The violence last weekend at Low Yat Plaza has left traders at the popular gadget mall in a lurch as customers continue to shy away from the vicinity for fear of getting caught in yet another bloody brawl.

The mall was uncharacteristically quiet today with more than half its shops and booths shuttered. The traders who insisted on continuing operations on the other hand complained that business was slow all day.

Without its usual hustle and bustle, the mall, which is often packed to the rafters with shoppers haggling for good gadget deals, almost resembled an abandoned building.

"Since yesterday, business has been lacking," said 31-year-old Hanafi, who works at a Microsoft store here.

A riot that broke out at the mall last night left five people injured, including several journalists.

Police have since detained 18 people believed involved in the melee, which was triggered by the arrest of a Malay youth who was caught stealing a cellphone.

Despite the arrests and repeated warnings by the police and even the prime minister not to aggravate the situation or to turn it racial, rumours have continued to swirl online that more violent gatherings — racially-charged ones — may take place.

Andy, who manages a phone store in Low Yat Plaza, told Malay Mail Online that he was frustrated by the incident, especially since it has affected his business.

"Where got (business)? Usually there is some business around 1pm, but not today," the 36-year-old said.

Meanwhile, 43-year-old Cheong said he may not open shop tomorrow if business remains slow.

"Business not so good (today). If still not good tomorrow then close, see how lah," the manager of the House of Leather shop said.

Cheong added that he even considered closing his shop early today due to the slow business.

Both Cheong and Hanafi also expressed fear, with the former saying his staff who witnessed the weekend scuffle were afraid of another violent repeat.

The riot reportedly started after a 22-year-old man was handed over on Friday to the police for allegedly stealing a phone from a store at the popular tech mall.

Disgruntled by the incident, the man then allegedly contacted his friends who later returned to the mobile phone store, assaulted its workers and caused some RM70,000 worth of damages.

Rumours then swirled on social media after the alleged theft that the Chinese trader had sold the Malay man a counterfeit phone, leading to calls for boycotts of “cheating” Chinese traders and the complex.

The incident later led to a mob descending on the mall last night and resulted in five sustaining injuries.