Alexander Voo Chung Tet
MIRI: There is mixed reaction to calls by some individuals here urging the authorities to consider a lighter sentence for a married couple allegedly caught stealing iron railings to get money for buying milk for their baby on Thursday.
Co-chairman for the Resident Committee (RC) 12 Lutong/Tudan, Councillor Misiah Abdullah said stealing is a crime and offenders should be punished accordingly.
“For first offence, I agree for lighter penalties but for repeated offences, like this case (as) the husband was recently out of prison for theft offences, it is already like encouraging them, if lighter penalties are imposed. Both of them are healthy and can look for a job to earn for a living. Stealing for a living is not a proper way. Well, pity their innocent child,” said Misiah when contacted yesterday.
The couple detained while pushing a trolley filled with piles of iron bars near an industrial area in Permyjaya.
Several members of the RC 12 Lutong/Tudan also spoke against a lighter sentence for the couple.
“When one committed wrongful act, you have to face the consequences. If not, how is our society to maintain law and order?
“Undoubtedly we pity the child who is innocent. There are many NGOs in Miri willing to assist, why not contact them or the Welfare Department for help?,” asked Alexander Voo Chung Tet, coordinator of RC Miri.
Pointing out that RC members are volunteers who sacrifice their time and money trying to contribute to the community, he continued, “If public think that we are wrong then there is no point for us to continue.”
Another RC member Malateh Mahmud also concurred with Voo and Misiah.
“I have been receiving a few condemning calls about this case since last night, for me it’s all about the couple’s action committing crime and I don’t think what JKP or RC did is wrong. If it is wrong then I should quit,” said Malateh.
He shared his own past as a poor parent, saying “I’ve been through the situation before… to feed my child I’ll go ambil midin untuk makan and sales (find ferns for food and sell)… nobody arrest me and life still goes on.”
Social activist George Francis urged the resident committee and the police to make a thorough investigation into the case before bringing it to court.
“Are they really in dire straits? If so, release them on police bail. Otherwise charge them.. the husband has already committed the offence; besides being an ex-convict for theft,” he said.
He further suggested that a local elected representative be sought to look into the case, adding that concerned parties like the city council or mayor, the Welfare or Manpower Departments, the religious bodies, NGOs like mosque or church should come forward to assist.
The Borneo Post yesterday quoted three members of the public who expressed sympathy for the couple arrested for allegedly cutting off and stealing iron railings near a drain at the Permy Phase 5 area here on Thursday.
Miri police chief ACP Lim Meng Seah said that the couple could face a prison term of 10 years and a fine under Section 380 of the Penal Code if they were convicted of the offence
Netizens here have expressed sympathy for the couple calling on the authorities to consider their situation before passing sentence.
This is because the offence was committed out of love for their child, said a mother of one, Debra Laura.
“All parents will do anything to provide for their children. In this case, the married couple should be helped if it is proven that they do have a child to fend for.
“It is understandable that it is hard to secure a job nowadays, especially when the husband is an ex-convict,” she said.
As for one Watson Menjang, he said it would be “too much” if the couple were to receive heavy punishment.
“Despite the need for them to be punished, I believe that the couple was doing it out of desperation.
“If we continue to help, do not just give them an easy way out, but instead provide them with a job to earn a living” he opined.
A father of three, Leonard Luhat, concurred with Debra and Watson, saying that the couple should not be given heavy punishment.
“They should instead be given counselling. Punishment is not the best way,” he said.