PJ District Police Chief helps struggling mum of 3
Malaysians have been living under various stages of the MCO for almost a year now, since March 2020. While those who are more privileged to be able to keep their jobs and stay safe by working from home have been trying their best to keep their spirits up, many individuals are struggling to keep their heads above the water as their incomes are affected by the restrictive SOPs.
Recently, a mum was reported to the police after she was caught attempting to shoplift some food and fever patches costing a total of RM58 as reported by Berita Harian, at a supermarket for her sick son. In a twist of events, Petaling Jaya District Police Chief Asst Comm Nik Ezanee Mohd Faisal and his team extended a helping hand by delivering the same things she had tried to steal to her.
Mum of 3 gets a surprise visit from police bearing supplies
The police officers’ kind deed, documented in a series of photos, was posted to Polis Diraja Malaysia’s official Facebook account with the hashtag “One Good Deed A Day”. In the post, the department shared that Nik Ezanee and his team of police officers had visited the woman at her apartment after receiving a police report from an unnamed supermarket that had detained her for attempting to shoplift fever patches, cakes, and frozen sausages.
Image credit: Polis Daerah Petaling Jaya
While none of us will ever look forward to visits from the police, this special one made on 21st January was a heart-warming one. The police, who had made their way to the block of apartments in PJ where the woman lives, delivered food supplies that comprised of items she had attempted to shoplift, paid for by the police officers themselves.
Also added to the supplies were other groceries, such as a bag of rice and a carton of eggs, as well as a jar of Nutella. The team also brought along a box of supplies from the Social Welfare Department (JKM).
The police officers asked the supermarket staff what the woman had tried to shoplift, and bought the items and more to deliver to her.
Image credit: Polis Daerah Petaling Jaya
According to Malay Mail, the woman and her husband had been out of work due to the MCO. It was also reported across various news outlets that the woman is a mother to 3 children, and one of her sons had been fighting a fever.
As such, the police have decided to not take further action against the woman for shoplifting, but have asked her to seek out welfare groups and charity organisations such as soup kitchens, mosques, or even the police for help in the future.
Image credit: Polis Daerah Petaling Jaya
A 6-minute video shared to Polis Diraja Malaysia’s Facebook page also documented the moment Nik Ezanee and his team paid a visit to the woman at her apartment after the shoplifting incident.
Nik Ezanee said that he believed that the woman had only attempted the crime out of desperation. He also added that the MCO has affected everyone and that it has been extremely challenging for many. He also implored the public to think about individuals who are struggling to put food on the table at this time, including this mum of 3, while they are busy complaining about various guidelines that are put in place, such as police roadblocks, to help curb the spread of COVID-19.
Netizens applauds PJ District Police Chief and team’s good deeds
In the comments section of Polis Diraja Malaysia’s Facebook post, many netizens came out to applaud the good deed and charitable actions of Nik Ezanee and his team during these tough times.
Netizen Shiranee Thavarajah said, “Times are tough for so, so many. So sad [that] this mother had to resort to stealing to feed her children. Always knew there was something different about this OCPD, Tuan Nik Ezanee. Leading by example. Good job, Tuan.”
Image adapted from: Shiranee ThavarajahÂ
Another netizen James T H Wong encouraged the police to continue doing these charitable deeds. “Well done, PJ Police. In fact, all police! Please continue the good acts. Much-needed acts of kindness and charity are needed at this very difficult time,” he said.
Image adapted from: James T H Wong
PJ Police Chief and team helps out mum of 3 caught shoplifting
It wasn’t too long ago that Nik Ezanee did a good deed that made headlines. Back in June 2020, he shared a sweet reunion with an elderly woman who used to buy him paus as a kid in an effort to remind others to care for the vulnerable elderly community during the pandemic.
Now, he is reminding us to look out for people and communities who are struggling to stay afloat at this time, and that there are organisations and groups to turn to if you need help. Committing and attempting crimes are not the answer, even if you are desperate.
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Cover image adapted from: Polis Daerah Petaling Jaya &Â Polis Daerah Petaling Jaya