Tesco spares distressed shopper driven to shoplift

Tesco Bukit Mertajam in Penang showed humanitarian spirit when it chose to come to the aid of a distressed shopper who stole instead of pressing for criminal prosecution.

Mohd Pirdaus Azizan, 31 and unemployed was caught red-handed shoplifting fruits and canned drink by security staff monitoring the in-store closed-circuit television system.

Pirdaus was apprehended just as he was walking out of the store.

When questioned, Pirdaus revealed that he stole to feed his three hungry children who had nothing to eat as he had run out of money to feed them.

He said his children are aged between two to seven years old.

“My wife, Norfarahiza Salahuddin, 31 is in the intensive care unit at the Bukit Mertajam Hospital where she has just suffered from complications following a miscarriage,” he revealed.

In handling the case, Bukit Mertajam Tesco Mall manager Pn. Harlina Arijauddin and Human Resources Manager Pn Nurdiana Ajis opted to exercise humanity upon confirming Pirdaus’ family plight.

“We do not in any way condone shoplifting, however, each case is different. We checked out his story and took pity on his difficult situation. We understand that he simply could not afford to provide food for his family and shoplifted in a moment if desperation,” Tesco's spokesperson told Astro Awani.

Exercising discretion, the Tesco management decided not to prosecute. The hypermarket instead offered Pirdaus a job at the same Bukit Mertajam store.

Meanwhile, a police source told that they did not take any action against the man as there were no police reports lodged.

"Stealing is indeed an offence, but in this case, it has fallen under the supermarket's management.

"Tesco did inform us about the incident but they said it has been settled peacefully," said the source when contacted by Astro AWANI.