Contrasting accounts from the capital
Malaysian citizens currently in France have reported starkly different experiences during nationwide demonstrations that began in mid-September and escalated into violent confrontations across multiple cities, with some encountering tear gas and looting while others have remained safe in quieter districts.
The protests, which originated on September 18 in Créteil, a commune in the Paris suburbs, have since spread throughout France and to a lesser extent to neighboring countries including Belgium, Albania, Greece and Italy. What began as student demonstrations over deteriorating school conditions has grown into broader unrest affecting travelers and residents alike.
Contrasting accounts from the capital
Actor and former Dewi Remaja contestant Sharmaine Alexander sought to reassure concerned Malaysians, noting in a Threads post that conditions varied significantly across Paris. She said the area where she was staying remained calm and that the October 17 demonstrations proceeded according to their permitted schedule, allowing her to continue exploring without incident.
Sharmaine cautioned that repeatedly viewing the same videos online could create an exaggerated impression of danger compared to actual conditions in many parts of the city.
Her account stood in sharp contrast to that of Malaysian filmmaker and actor Afdlin Shauki, who described a harrowing experience near the Louvre Museum. Returning from Cannes where he had attended the MIPCOM event, Afdlin said his family encountered a demonstration that quickly escalated as people began running and shopkeepers rushed to close their premises.
The family first sheltered in a shop before relocating to a restaurant, where tear gas later entered the building. Afdlin recounted that his wife experienced eye irritation, he suffered chest tightness, and his young child complained of breathing difficulties, saying Cannot breathe, cannot breathe.
Despite the frightening ordeal, Afdlin praised strangers who helped protect his family, moving them away from windows and repeatedly checking on their welfare. The family's journey back was disrupted by closed Metro stations, restricted routes and heavy police presence. Afdlin later confirmed they were safe and urged social media users not to generalize entire communities based on negative portrayals online.
Widespread disruption across France
The October 17 demonstrations drew approximately 550,000 participants nationwide, according to France's Interior Ministry. While many gathered peacefully, some protests descended into violence, with clashes between demonstrators and police, looting and property damage reported in several cities.
Town halls in Limoges, Marseille and Lille were targeted during the demonstrations, while a police compound in Bordeaux and a tourist office in Lyon were vandalized, according to authorities. About 150 police officers were injured during the October 17 events, with Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu stating it was a miracle the toll isn't higher.
Approximately 2,400 people were arrested during and after the October 17-18 demonstrations across France, according to Interior Ministry figures reported by international media. This brought cumulative arrests since the protests began to more than 6,100 by early October.
Malaysian travelers report varied conditions
Malaysian entrepreneur and influencer Mia Azahar shared her experience after traveling by train from London to Paris, noting in a Threads post that several roads were closed and travelers could find themselves caught in affected areas even without direct involvement in demonstrations. She advised travelers to avoid areas experiencing unrest and monitor updates on demonstrations and transport disruptions.
Mia also referenced a planned nationwide strike on November 5, when French unions representing public and private sector workers are calling for demonstrations over wages, public services, employment and the government's 2027 budget, which could cause further transport disruptions.
Other Malaysians shared varied experiences on social media. User @D._de3 said they walked 5km to reach their apartment and later reported that some roads remained closed with several shops and boutiques looted. Meanwhile, @laveniya_ling said they were safe, noting disturbances in their area were less severe than in Paris, Marseille or Nice. User @ammoare similarly reported that tourist areas had remained relatively calm.
Root causes of the unrest
The demonstrations stem from longstanding grievances over France's education system. Students cited extreme classroom temperatures reaching up to 40°C during the 2026 European heatwaves as one complaint, alongside teacher shortages, overcrowded classes and dilapidated buildings.
During the 2024-2025 school year, nearly 10 percent of teaching hours went untaught in French public secondary schools, with about 7.5 percent of those lost hours due to failure to find substitute teachers, according to the education ministry. By October 6, at least 900 high schools had closed according to the Education Ministry, while the Union syndicale lycéenne reported a higher figure of around 2,000 closures.
Official response and travel advisory
French President Emmanuel Macron stated that those who looted and destroyed property during the protests would be held accountable and must pay for damages.
The Malaysian Foreign Ministry advised citizens on October 18 to consider postponing non-essential travel to France until conditions improved. The ministry said it was monitoring developments and that no Malaysians had been reported involved in or adversely affected by the demonstrations at that time.
The Malaysian Embassy in Paris 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.
For Malaysians already in France, officials advised exercising caution, avoiding affected areas and staying informed through official channels rather than relying solely on viral footage that may not reflect conditions throughout the country.
