Shoplifting is a crime, but it would be another crime to punish a poor family on the brink of hunger.
These were the words of Petaling Jaya district police chief Nik Ezanee Mohd Faisal who went out of his way as a police officer to help a poor mother caught shoplifting fever remedy and cake for her children.
According to the assistant commissioner of police, he was informed yesterday that the district police received a shoplifting case that happened at a hypermart.
However, something about the case boggled his mind.
"The police report stated that the suspect was nabbed for stealing a roll of pandan cake, sausages and two packs of Kool Fever (fever-reducing ice patch) for her children.
"So, I felt that I should go meet this suspect and ask why she did this. Because I believe that this person must be facing some problem to resort to this," he said.
Nik Ezanee was speaking via a Facebook Live feed today on the Petaling Jaya Police Facebook, when he and a group of officers went to visit the suspect's family at a low-cost flat in the district.
The police brought with them a gift basket and a sack of rice from the Welfare Department, besides other basic necessities to help the family. Several packs of Kool Fever were among the items contributed.
Their presence received a warm welcome from the family, especially the woman's three small children.
When contacted later, Nik Ezanee said police learned that the family of five was facing financial difficulties. The suspect's husband works as an elevator repair technician, but his income has been badly affected by the movement control order (MCO).
"I understand that we (adults) may be able to withstand hunger. But not when it is our children who are suffering.
"I have advised the woman not to resort to crime again. They can always seek help from the nearest Zakat centre, or mosque.
"If they come to such a desperate situation, I said to them that they can come to the station," he added. - Mkini
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