Mydin Shares That People Are Now Stealing Fish & Vegetables Instead Of Electronics
"Do you think this is because the people are too lazy to cook? No, it's because people cannot afford to buy anything else," said Datuk Ameer Ali Mydin.
By May Vin Ang — 07 Jul 2021, 12:40 PM
Mydin has observed that people are resorting to stealing basic food products from their stores due to economic hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic
According to The Straits Times, Mydin managing director Datuk Ameer Ali Mydin said thefts have shifted to staples instead of more expensive items such as electronics, as it used to be.
"Thefts in hypermarkets like Mydin have gone up. People are stealing more. But unfortunately, they are not stealing high-value items," said Ameer during a virtual press conference organised by Industries Unite (IU) on Tuesday, 6 July.
"Those days, people came and they stole televisions. They steal speakers. They steal high-value items because they want to sell."
"But now the thieves are stealing ikan kembung (mackerels). It's sad," he said.
Ameer, who is the co-founder of IU — a coalition of 115 trade associations and chambers of commerce representing an estimated 3.3 million businesses in Malaysia — said the sales of instant noodles have also shot up
"The sales of (instant) noodles have skyrocketed. Very, very high," he said during the press conference, as quoted by Malaysiakini.
"Do you think this is because the people are too lazy to cook? No, it's because people cannot afford to buy anything else," he said.
"Noodles are the cheapest way to fill your stomach. Is that how we want people to fill their stomachs? It's very sad."
Ameer, who is also president of the Bumiputera Retailers' Association, added Mydin even rolled out an initiative to help the needy recently and received over 5,000 requests within 24 hours.
Ameer shared the stories as the coalition urged the government to come up with a new strategy in battling the COVID-19 outbreak
Another IU co-founder, David Gurupatham, told the press that a new narrative must be made so that people do not suffer from losing their sources of income while curbing the spread of the coronavirus.
The recent white flag movement was evident that the people are already suffering economically, he said.
David added that the group had warned the government months ago that if current strategies are maintained, the situation will worsen and will result in mass closures of businesses, reported Malay Mail.
He said the coalition is ready to offer help to the government in designing a suitable approach to help spur the country's economy during these difficult times.
Remember to limit your movement and keep practising physical distancing. Watch the latest update on the COVID-19 situation:
The economic hardship faced by Malaysians resulted in the #BenderaPutih movement that began last week:
