Thieves steal thousands but leave RM1 in donation boxes at mosque
Friday, 1 Dec 20177:22 PM MYT
MELAKA: Thieves stole money, believed to be in the thousands, from three donation boxes at Masjid Al-Ehsan in Kampung Limbongan here, but left behind a single RM1 note in each of the boxes.
h=270&w=420&la=en
The mosque's committee chairman Kamarudin Mohd Ali said that donations amounting to more than RM2,000 were stolen from the three donation boxes inside the place of worship.
It is believed that the money was stolen early Wednesday (Nov 29) morning.
The incident was discovered at around 5.30am after worshippers found that the wall cabinets holding the donation boxes had been broken.
"I believe the thieves entered the mosque by prying open the iron grille mounted on one of the windows before breaking into the three Aman Palestin donation boxes," said Kamarudin.
"Another donation box was not successfully broken into, but we estimate losses of more than RM2,000 because the Aman Palestin fund had not been opened for the past three months," he said.
Kamarudin said the thieves left RM1 in each donation box as "ibu duit" — a superstitious belief that the initial money will multiply.
The incident marks the second robbery attempt at the mosque.
Three years ago, a 60kg green vault belonging to the mosque was found nearby after an unsuccessful break-in.
"The mosque is able to accommodate about 700 worshippers during Friday prayers and many of them donate, perhaps this makes the mosque a target for thieves," said Kamarudin.
Melaka Tengah police chief Assistant Commissioner Afzanizar Ahmad confirmed the incident and revealed that a report had been lodged at the Malim police station.
"We received a report on the incident at about 9am on the same day and an investigation will be carried out under Section 547 of the Penal Code," he said. – Sinar Harian
Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/12/01/thieves-steal-thousands-but-leave-rm1-in-donation-box/#lLcPxJeYQlrhfrcd.99
