99 Speedmart awaits probe into Bangsar outlet incident

 The minimarket chain says action will be taken if employees are found to have breached rules following police probe of attempted theft and assault at the outlet.

A video circulating online shows a confrontation between 99 Speedmart employees and a man accused of stealing at a Bangsar outlet.

PETALING JAYA:

Minimarket chain 99 Speedmart is cooperating with police, as two conflicting accounts over an incident at its outlet in Lorong Maarof, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, are being investigated.

The incident involved a 61-year-old trader who claimed he was assaulted by workers at the outlet after he was accused of theft, while the outlet lodged a separate report alleging that the man had attempted to steal items from the minimarket.

The dispute came to light after a video went viral showing two employees apprehending a man at the outlet over an alleged theft. The accompanying caption claimed the man had repeatedly stolen goods from the store.

The trader and his lawyer later held a press conference over the incident.

When contacted, 99 Speedmart’s lawyer Gabriel Susayan said the company would wait for police to conclude their investigation before deciding on any action.

“If the investigation finds that any individual acted outside the scope of their duties, violated the law or went against company policy, appropriate action will be taken,” he said.

Susayan said the company did not allow employees to use force against customers, who must be treated professionally and with respect.

He urged the public not to prejudge the case or circulate unverified claims online, adding that the company reserved the right to take legal action over baseless allegations.

Meanwhile, Brickfields police chief Hoo Chang Hook told FMT that two reports had been lodged over the incident, which took place at the outlet on July 24.

He said the outlet supervisor filed the first report at 10.23pm that day, alleging that a man had been caught attempting to steal items but managed to escape.

The trader lodged the second report at 9.52pm on July 26, claiming that workers had accused him of stealing and injured him while he was shopping at the outlet.

Hoo said police are investigating the first report for attempted theft and the second for voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous means.

He added that six statements had been recorded from the trader, the outlet supervisor and other 99 Speedmart employees.

Both investigation papers will be referred to the prosecution for further instructions, he said. - FMT