Disgusted Sight.
A man is brought to the court for stealing 2 batteries valued RM7.20. He is charged with an offence punishable with mandatory imprisonment. Should he be imprisoned for that?
Another scenario, a man with one of his leg is broken was charged before a court for stealing oatmeal and milk powder. The offence alleged is also punishable with mandatory imprisonment. The two aforesaid scenario has taken place in a well known hypermarket which have its stores all around the country, we name it as “T”
Stealing is disgusting. Nevertheless, it is more disgusting when a big corporation, with huge equity and infinite wealth taking seriously the loss of the their valuable batteries worth RM7.20 and oatmeal worth RM30.00. Greedy and irresponsible is the correct attributes to describe such merciless and inhuman act.
Once a report is lodged, the cost for bringing the accused to the court is about RM200, which comes from public fund, or in other word- from the pocket of the tax payer. Public Authority has given this “T” corporation opportunity to make wealth and it should carry its social responsibility towards the public by selling goods at lower cost (not to mention that big hypermarket has grab away the sales of small business) and also to help the needs, yet its acts greedily and tyrannically against their small enemy.
For a loss of RM7.20, the “T” sacrifice RM200 of public money to justice, while there is other means to compensate for the loss, such as asking for immediate payment for the price of the goods or by demanding price to be paid in triple amount.
It disgusting when wealth is piling up and a loss of small portion of such wealth creates burden upon the authority (the police, the court, the prison).
I resent, I despise and I detest when wealthy personnel take advantage and act merciless against the the weak. It’s time when the judicial arm shall be strecthed in ensuring the weak is protected by tempering justice with mercy - PP v [1995] MLJU 206 [1995] MLJU 206
