Single mother Farina Nor Che Ya, 38, who was bound over for two years for good behaviour in the sum of RM1,500 by the Magistrate's Court in Seremban on Wednesday, will be included in the list of recipients for aid from tithe contributions.

Menteri Besar Mohamad Hasan said so far, the Baitulmal had distributed aid in the form of food items and cash to the woman.

"Medical assistance of RM500 was also approved. She will also be included in the monthly list of aid recipients and her child will be given schooling aid.

"The Negri Sembilan Social Welfare Department (SWD) will investigate further to hand out aid, while several NGOs (non-governmental organisations) have also agreed to help find work for her," he said in a statement through the WhatsApp application.

Nor Farina was charged in the Magistrate's Court in Seremban under Section 380 of the Penal Code for stealing turmeric leaf, pandan leaves, lemon grass, mutton, hair shampoo, ointment, underwear, pants and scarves, all worth RM262.86 at a supermarket near Centrio Square, Seremban 2, on Aug 5.

Nor Farina, who pleaded guilty to stealing, said her actions were due to the hardship she was facing and that the items she stole were to make 'rendang'.

Mohamad said initial investigations revealed that the woman who came from Kulim, Kedah, had settled in Temiang, and received RM150 a month in aid from the Kedah SWD.

"She moved to Negri Sembilan two years ago and earns a living by collecting used goods. She also has diabetes, while her only child suffers from hypoglycemia.

"She had also requested for help from the Baitulmal while in Kedah, however, she could not be contacted after she moved. While receiving treatment at the Tuanku Jaafar Hospital, doctors also suggested that she seeks health financial aid from MAINS (Majlis Agama Islam Negri Sembilan)," he said.

The menteri besar said when MAINS officers visited Nor Farina's home, they had found a health financial aid request form with the woman, which was still incomplete.

"Nevertheless, the form was taken by the officers to be processed," he said.

- Bernama