WHEN calamities strike, survival instinct can sometimes get the better of civilised human nature.
In a panic state, the human mind can turn animalistic, prompting them to act irrationally even to the extent of turning violent to protect their very own survival or that of their loved ones.
This probably explains the recent incident of looting at Taman Sri Muda at the height of last weekend’s massive flooding.
In all frankness, the slow action of the authorities to render assistance – whether in the form of basic necessities or security – is itself a good platform to spark looting especially when the entire community was inundated not only by rising flood water but by hunger and panic of sorts.
However, it was recently unveiled that the series of looting incidences in the flood-prone neighbourhood were ‘masterminded’ by ‘opportunists’, according to Shah Alam district police chief Baharudin Mat Taib.
Baharudin further revealed that 31 people – all of whom are foreigners – have been arrested apparently for “stealing non-food essentials.”
In urging the public not to break the law, Baharudin also assured that crime prevention measures have been implemented in all flood-affected areas.
While he does not condone theft, Mydin Mohamed Holdings Bhd managing director Datuk Ameer Ali Mydin said he has forgiven individuals who looted the Mydin store at Taman Sri Muda in Shah Alam at the height of last weekend’s flooding for he understood their desperation.
“Honestly, I do not support their theft, but at a time of emergency, they would probably have had no choice but to do such a thing to stay alive,” he noted in a media statement on Tuesday (Dec 21).
“Sincerely, I would like to make halal what they have done as they were merely trying to stay alive as aid had come in late.”
However, the owner of the Mydin hypermarket chain claimed the following day that those who broke into its Mydin Mart were not looters but robbers as they were armed with knives and machetes.
“Looking at the stolen items, they broke into (the store) not for food but to steal,” he was cited as saying by Malay news portal MalaysiaGazette.
Based on CCTV footage, Ameer and his management team found that the group of men had broken through the front door using sticks and machetes before rushing up to the first floor which housed the electrical items.
“If you are hungry, do you need to bring a knife and machete?” he asked, estimating that the store lost between RM200,000 and RM300,000.
More broadly, the Mydin Mart was not the sole target as several retail outlets (minimarkets and convenience stores) were also reportedly looted, including KK Mart, 7-Eleven and Pasaraya Jimat.
While the Taman Sri Muda flood victims should be applauded for being able to behave rationally, the appalling attitude of the authorities who seem to be more concerned about post-disaster relief than pre-disaster preparedness and delivery should never be forgiven. – Dec 23, 2021
Pics credit: MalaysiaGazette
