Umaparan Subramaniam, who served as a policeman for 12 years, decided to raise funds to start a food bank and help the needy during the pandemic.

He wrote to the district Special Branch to ask for permission on May 31, a day before the nationwide total lockdown was enforced.

“When I submitted the letter, the head of the Special Branch said they were not able to approve my application since it had to be referred to the Disaster Control Operations Centre (PKOB),” Umaparan, 39, told FMT.

He said he went to the district PKOB the same day and was told by an assistant district officer that food banks did not require any approval.

According to the officer, the PKOB was only activated when the district was under an enhanced movement control order (EMCO).

“I wanted to make a proper application through the PKOB because I was worried about getting in trouble with the police and not being able to set up the food bank,” he said.

Umaparan claimed a special officer at the centre gave him the green light and said he would inform the police on his behalf. He also claimed he was told that a police permit was only required if he planned to deliver food house to house.

After raising sufficient funds, he bought items for the food bank, which was set up outside a friend’s restaurant on June 5.

During the short time they were allowed to operate, he said, 22 people came to collect food items and left after that. Everyone was asked to check in using their MySejahtera app and record their temperatures.

“We started at 10am and half-an-hour later, police came and asked why there were so many people there. They asked for proof and we showed them, and (they) told us to follow them to the station on the OCPD’s orders,” he said.

Despite their explanation, he said, he and his friend were both fined RM1,500 each for failing to distribute aid through the PKOB or welfare department.

“They said they were issuing a compound notice to me as the organiser, and to my restaurant owner friend as the host,” he said.

Umaparan said they have appealed for the compound notices to be cancelled and are waiting for a response from the district health office. He also hopes to meet the OCPD.

“They can’t say I didn’t go through the process. I have evidence that I met with the special officer who said the PKOB was only activated during the EMCO,” he said.

Perak police chief Mior Faridalathrash Wahid told FMT Umaparan could appeal to the district health office if he believed he did not commit an offence.

Mior also said Umaparan could claim trial if he was not satisfied and decided to bring the case to court.

FMT has also reached out to the Sungai Siput police and is awaiting a response.