Just yesterday (2nd October), the Kuala Terengganu court sentenced a 41-year-old housewife to 10 months in jail for stealing coffee packets from a local supermarket.
According to Berita Harian, magistrate Abdul Hayyi Salim declared the sentence for the housewife, Nor Azlina Mamat, who pleaded guilty after being charged under Section 380 of the Penal Code for theft in any building. This charge carries a maximum jail sentence of 10 years.
Nor Azlina was accused of stealing seven 300g packets of coffee, totalling to RM164.43 at approximately 4.20pm on 26th September.
A security guard on duty at the supermarket had reportedly spotted the woman acting suspiciously while in the coffee aisle. He then contacted his colleague to check what she did in that aisle via CCTV while he followed her as she walked to the rice section of the supermarket.
She then abruptly left her shopping trolley behind without making any payment and was soon caught by the security guard, who handed her over to the police.
The prosecution was handled by prosecuting officer Inspector Miky Dunstan Muda, while the accused did not have any legal representative.
Nor Azlina’s jail sentence sparked outrage among some netizens, who were shocked at the lengthy jail time she received for shoplifting.
Many deemed the sentence unfair, referencing the relatively light RM1,500 fine a road bully recently received for breaking a driver’s side mirror last week and the recent 18-month jail sentence a babysitter received for causing a toddler’s death by putting chilli in his mouth.
What are your thoughts on this recent sentence? Let us know in the comments below.
Also read: M’sian Woman Only Gets 18 Months Jail for Choking Toddler to Death With Chilli