It was the first day of the total lockdown in Malaysia – and an adventure of sorts for Twentytwo13’s creative editor Amar Qastellani involving a reptile and three policemen in Subang Jaya.
While on his way to work this morning, Amar saw an SUV stop at the exit of his apartment block. The driver opened the door and knelt at the kerb. The driver then drove off.
“I thought she was just throwing rubbish. Upon closer inspection, I saw a head pop out,” said Amar.
Amar quickly picked up the tortoise and decided to release it at the Subang Ria Recreational Park.
“Just as I was entering the park, a group of policemen stopped me. They asked me where I was going, and I told them that I wanted to go to the park to release the tortoise.
“One of the policemen was taken aback and said ‘This is the first time I’m hearing someone using a tortoise as an excuse during the Movement Control Order’.
“I showed him the tortoise and he immediately told his two other colleagues about it.”
Fascinated by the tortoise, Amar said the three policemen took a closer look at it before allowing him to quickly release the reptile into the lake.
“They were strict but compassionate and I thank them for that.”
“It was certainly an adventure. I wouldn’t know what to do with the tortoise anyway,” said Amar.
