The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have been relentless, causing many to lose their jobs and face the struggle of putting food on the table.
With the government’s stimulus aid running low and savings gone after paying for rent and food at the beginning of last year - some were left with no choice but to sneak food into their bags and clothes to feed their family.
Photo via Facebook (Polis Daerah Petaling Jaya)
Shoplifting is a crime, but it would be another crime to punish a poor family on the brink of hunger, said Petaling Jaya district police chief, ACP Nik Ezanee Mohd Faisal.
According to The Sun Daily, a mother of two boys and a girl, with the youngest being a toddler, had resorted to shoplifting to feed her hungry children.
She allegedly stole fever patches, sausages, and cakes at a hypermarket and was held after failing to pay for the items on Wednesday (20 January), in which the hypermarket then lodged a police report.
“When we are hungry, we can bear with that. But if our children are hungry, that is another story,” said Nik Ezanee.
True to his motto, “One good deed a day”, the Petaling Jaya police chief spared the woman of police action and announced that the police had dropped the case and no further action will be taken against the woman.
[LIVE] PETALING JAYA, 21 Januari 2021 (Khamis) - Seorang ibu sanggup berkorban apa sahaja demi anak-anaknya. YDH Ketua Polis Daerah Petaling Jaya, ACP Nik Ezanee Bin Mohd Faisal terpanggil untuk mengunjungi seorang surirumah yang telah ditahan oleh anggota sekuriti di sebuah pasaraya kerana gagal membayar barang-barang yang ada bersamanya. Barang-barang yang dimaksudkan adalah ubat - ubatan dan makanan untuk anaknya yang sedang sakit. Atas dasar belas ehsan, IPD Petaling Jaya dan Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat telah menyumbangkan barangan makanan dan barangan harian kepada beliau agar terus cekal dalam menghadapi cabaran di dalam meneruskan kehidupan sepanjang tempoh Pandemik Covid-19 ini. Susah dan senang, kita tetap bersama. Keselamatan Anda Tetap Di Hati Kami.. Stay with us.. stay at home. Anda kini adalah frontliners... #COVID19 #YouAreTheFrontliners #KeepPJSafe #StayAtHome #BreakTheChain #Pjcops
Posted by Polis Daerah Petaling Jaya on Wednesday, January 20, 2021
The Petaling Jaya district police today (21 January), went to visit the woman and her children at their home, bringing a rice bag and a box full of food.
He also told the woman that she could come over to the Petaling Jaya police station if she needs help, as he handed her the food items which were contributed by the Welfare Department.
“To those who are complaining about traffic jams, road closures, and checkpoints, there are others who are in worse situations. The pandemic is not making it easy for any of us. Let us stand as one and support each other,” he added.
Guys, we’re all in this together, especially during this difficult time. Lookout for each other and stay safe!
By: Aishah Akashah Ahadiat
Source: The Sun Daily
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