SEREMBAN: "I'm so relieved and happy that my car has been found as it has sentimental value that cannot be replaced."
"I thank the police and the concerned people of Malaysia for helping me get back my car."
Those were the words of national football (under 23) player and Negri Sembilan striker N Thanabalan.
The 22-year old footballer said he could not sit easy all this while thinking of his stolen car and tried all he could to find the car together with his friends.
He said the blue Proton Iswara with the registration number TQ 5158 was bought in 2016 for RM3,000 and was his main mode of transportation to go for training with the Negri Sembilan football team.
"Although it is a used car but it has served me and my family well and has sentimental value to me that is irreplaceable as the car is not just used for my football training but also used for my family's daily chores."
"When I lost the car, I naturally felt sad and tried my best to find it around Kuala Lumpur.
However, I'm so relieved that the car has been found but some of my personal belongings in the car are missing," Thanabalan said when met at the Senawang police station.
Selangor Criminal Investigation Department chief Senior Assistant Commissioner Fadzil Ahmat said the car was found at about 3am today at a petrol station in Ampang following a tip-off from the public.
“We are gathering more information to complete our investigation and to identify the suspects involved (in the theft).
“The probe is being conducted by the Gombak district police station,” he said when contacted earlier.
It was reported Thanabalan had lost his car and was appealing to the individual or individuals who stole the vehicle to return it.
Thanabalan's car was stolen at Batu Caves, Selangor early Wednesday morning while he was out celebrating Thaipusam and discovered it missing when he wanted to return home at 5am.
After failing to locate the car, which he bought two years ago, the footballer lodged a police report at the Gombak district police station.
Soon after lodging a report, Thanabalan published a post about the incident Facebook and Instagram and urged the public to provide any information on the location of his car.
Thanabalan said this is the second time his car was stolen when his Perodua Kancil disappeared last year.
"Last year, I lost my Kancil which was stolen in Kuala Lumpur while I was training with FELCRA FC.
The Rantau-born lad hoped that the incident will not happen to him again in the future and he will be more careful.
He also advised the individual or individuals who committed the act not to repeat the offence especially at a religious ceremony.
"Religious venues are sensitive sites and they should not break the law at such places.
The theft has also inconvenienced my parents and my other family members to the point I had to seek help from friends to hitch a ride back to Senawang from Batu Caves.
This incident has really taught me a lesson and I will be more careful in the future," said Thanabalan.