by Dr Rahim Said
The police force is often perceived as an institution of authority, discipline, and law enforcement. But behind the badges and uniforms are individuals — men and women with hearts, values, and a sense of justice that goes beyond regulations.
A story recently shared by Mohd Rosli Wahab from Penang highlights this very human side of the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) and serves as a profound reminder of what it truly means to serve the people.
A Theft, A Choice, A Test
A call came in for a minor theft at a supermarket outlet on the outskirts of George Town. A man had been caught stealing two loaves of bread, the total value of which was under RM10.
When the officer arrived at the scene, he questioned the security guard, “Do we really need to arrest him for this? The amount is so small.” But the guard, bound by company policy, insisted that the suspect be taken in.
As the officer transported the man to the police station, he asked why he had stolen the bread. The response was heartbreaking: “I had no money. My child has not eaten rice for two days. I could only afford to give him 20-sen noodle crackers.”
The officer was stunned. His eyes welled up at the thought of his own children at home.
Justice vs Humanity
At the station, the supermarket’s security guard, following strict corporate protocol, proceeded with filing the report.
But then, the Deputy Station Chief (AOCS), Sergeant Major Shahruddin, arrived and heard the case. His reaction was immediate — he reprimanded the security guard and demanded that the supermarket’s management be called in.
A female manager arrived, only to further insist that the man pay ten times the value of the stolen bread as compensation.
Without hesitation, Sergeant Major Shahruddin took out his own money and paid the amount.
The suspect, overwhelmed, fell to his knees in gratitude.
But what the sergeant said next was even more powerful:
“Right now, Allah is not testing you. Allah is testing me. He is watching what I will do with the rank and authority I have to help a struggling brother.”
Understanding the man’s dire circumstances — who was recently laid off from a factory job, abandoned by his wife, and struggling to raise his five-year-old son alone — the sergeant handed him additional cash to survive.
Months later, the man returned to the police station, now employed again, eager to repay the kindness. But by then, Sergeant Major Shahruddin had been transferred.
A Lesson in Leadership and Compassion
The story is not just about a compassionate officer. It is about leadership, justice, and the responsibility that comes with power.
Laws exist to maintain order, but they must be enforced with wisdom and humanity.
Had this officer and his superior followed the system blindly, they would have arrested a desperate father for trying to feed his son.
Instead, they chose to see the bigger picture — that justice is not merely about punishment but about fairness and mercy.
The irony here is that corporations, in their relentless pursuit of rules and profit, often fail to recognise human struggles. A multinational chain like the supermarket, which generates millions, was willing to criminalise a man over RM10 worth of bread. It took the intervention of a police officer — someone often portrayed as rigid and uncompromising — to demonstrate real compassion.
The Real Test
Sergeant Major Shahruddin’s words should resonate with all of us: “Allah is not testing him. Allah is testing me.”
When we encounter those in need, it is easy to dismiss their struggles as their own burden to bear. But perhaps the real question is: What are we going to do about it?
Do we walk away, justifying our inaction with bureaucracy, policies, or personal convenience?
Or do we step forward, as Sergeant Major Shahruddin did, to make a real difference in someone’s life?
In a time when public trust in institutions often wavers, stories like this remind us that integrity and kindness still exist within the force.
Perhaps, if more people in positions of authority adopted this mindset, we would live in a much fairer and more compassionate society.
WE