Its managing director, Ameer Ali Mydin, said the robbers did not steal food items, but took electrical appliances and other valuable items such as watches and computer equipment from the first floor of the premises in Taman Sri Muda.

“Looking at the stolen items, they broke into (the store) not for food but to steal,” he said, estimating that the store lost between RM200,000 and RM300,000, according to a MalaysiaGazette report.

Ameer said that based on CCTV footage, he and his management found that the group of men had broken through the front door using sticks and machetes before rushing up to the first floor which housed the electrical items.

“If you are hungry, do you need to bring a knife and machete?” he asked.

Yesterday, Ameer said in a statement that he would forgive the actions of those who had broken into the store in Taman Sri Muda.

He said he pardoned the actions of the flood victims because of the late arrival of aid.

“I do not support the act of stealing. However, in an emergency, they may have had no choice and did it for the sake of survival,” he said.

The Mydin store was among several retail outlets that were reportedly looted during the height of the floods in the neighbourhood on Monday.

Police said minimarkets and convenience stores looted include a KK Mart, 7-Eleven and Pasaraya Jimat.