Founded by Amirul Ruslan, Nisshant Dhanapalan and Jasmine King , “Offline KL” was launched last year as a community-building initiative that focuses on disconnecting to reconnect.
By organising small gatherings and events in the city, “Offline KL” creates a couple of hours where phones stay tucked away, and conversations happen in real life.
“We do this because we’re all passionate about bringing people together,” Amirul told FMT Lifestyle.
All three are already active in community work through different platforms.
Jasmine runs a sexual empowerment platform called “Jas Explains”, Amirul hosts the YouTube channel “Explaining Malaysia” and the social media page “thekulthings”, while Nisshant volunteers at various community events and founded a men’s support circle.
Jasmine and Nisshant, friends since their university days, met Amirul at a United Nations forum. The idea for “Offline KL” was sparked when Nisshant stumbled upon a video of a similar initiative overseas.
“We immediately thought this would be so much fun to do in Malaysia,” Amirul said. “We’re all so connected by technology, but are we really connected from a human experience?”
Their first event drew about 30 participants and was a success. After a year’s hiatus, they returned with a fresh session on Sept 21, where FMT Lifestyle joined the experience at Triptyk in Kampung Attap.
The concept was simple: register at the entrance, collect a drink, and make your way into the designated phone-free zones. No one confiscates devices, but there’s a mutual understanding – they stay out of sight.
There were several spaces to choose from: an art corner for those who wish to draw or colour, a quiet nook for reading or solo activities, and an open seating area for conversations with fun prompts scattered around the tables.
What followed was nothing short of a good time. Some coloured in silence. Others shared life stories with strangers.
“Offline KL” does not stick to one format. In previous sessions, they ran an afternoon for those aged 30 and above to share their experiences of dating after 30, complete with guest storytellers.
Last year, they organised a smaller session with just 15 participants at Nam Hoe in Brickfields.
So, what keeps the trio going?
“People are starting to understand the importance of a digital detox. Even being able to do that for one afternoon makes a difference to your mental health and well-being,” said Amirul. “I honestly wish our events could last longer.”
For Jasmine, it’s also about easing the struggle of forming adult friendships. “Being offline is just one part of it. As adults, it’s really tough to make friends. This is a great way to meet people without hiding behind a screen. I love seeing those who are naturally shy push themselves out of their bubble.”
What surprised them most, however, was how receptive Malaysians were to the idea.
“I’m quite proud that people are open to the experience. We’ve never had to ask someone to put their phone away. That alone makes it feel worth doing,” said Nisshant.
Some might wonder why anyone would pay to put their phone aside when they could just do it at home. But the co-founders pointed out that these sessions don’t happen by accident.
“If you’re building a community like we are, it takes a lot of time and resources on top of our day jobs,” said Nisshant.
The trio plan to grow the movement, though not in the typical scale-up way. “I’m from Sabah and I’d love to bring it there, and eventually to other parts of the country,” said Jasmine.
But they’re also clear about keeping things grounded. “We’re not looking for ‘Offline KL’ to become a huge thing where 100 people show up. It should still be intimate enough for everyone to make friends,” Nisshant added.
So, the next time you catch yourself scrolling without realising it, consider taking a break the old-fashioned way. Their next session is tentatively set for Nov 9.
Follow ‘Offline KL’ on Instagram.