SITIAWAN, Dec 19 (Sin Chew Daily) — A 23-year-old Malay man has taken the trouble of travelling all the way to a grocery shop in Ayer Tawar 15 years after he stole a rubber eraser from the shop, putting a piece of RM50 note and a “letter of repentance” into an envelope for the Chinese shop owner.

In the letter, he wrote, “Firstly I want to apologise for not handing this letter to you face to face because I feel ashamed and scared.

“15 years ago when I was eight years old, I did take away a rubber eraser from your shop. I’m seeking your forgiveness for having done that, and want to pay back now for what I took from you. I’m sorry for paying back so late because I moved to a new place when I was ten.

“I hope uncle/auntie can forgive me.”

Conveying a positive message

Mr Chee, the shop owner, said he actually had no idea about the theft at all, and he never knew the 23-year-old young man, either.

“I was touched after reading the letter. I not only forgive him but also respect him for what he did.

“This is a real life story that is full of positive energy. So I have decided to display the letter at the counter for the customers to read with the hope of conveying a positive message that we should repent for what we once did wrongly.”

Chee said the young men came to the shop alone in a motorcycle on November 17. He bought a bottle of mineral water and bread, and walked out of the shop after paying for his purchase.

However, he did not leave immediately but stood outside the shop to stare inside as if there was something in his mind.

‘Read after I’ve left’

“I was busy inside the shop at that time, and only managed to walk out of the shop after about ten minutes to ask him if there was anything I could help.

“He didn’t answer me, so I just walked back into the shop. He later followed me inside and asked whether the shop was already operating back in 2004. After I told him yes, he handed me a letter, and asked me to read only after he had left.”

Chee said he felt puzzled, wondering whether there was something bad inside the envelope. However, he still opened it and felt touched after reading the letter.

He tried to look for the young man again but he was nowhere in sight.