This is what my family went through at Aloha Loyang Resort's swimming pool on Sept 7, resulting from an accusation from the staff of Aloha Cafe.

We were at the resort's swimming pool, the kids swimming and my wife and I relaxing nearby when a staff member from Aloha Cafe approached us. The woman asked us where we bought the kids' swimming costumes.

We told her that it was from a shop at Pasir Ris Wild Wild Wet. She then asked, in a very intimidating manner, for proof by way of receipts of purchase. We are not in the habit of keeping receipts of purchases made many months ago. So we told her we do not have them and she was unhappy with our response.

The woman then rudely held my youngest son and checked for something at the back of his swimming costume (my youngest son was with us while the others were in the pool). She further enquired rudely (and I began to wonder where this line of interrogation was leading to) the price of the swimming costume.

She was aghast when my wife replied that it was only $17 and she then insisted that that brand of costume is sold only by Aloha Cafe.

She further mentioned that four pieces of swimming costumes were missing from the cafe and blatantly concluded that we, my family, are the thieves who took the missing items from their shop.

We do not know what to say and were taken aback by such blatant accusations. We felt intimidated, shocked and angry at how things suddenly developed. Next thing we knew, the police were called. When the police arrived, they made a thorough search of our bags and belongings. Obviously nothing that could incriminate us to the theft was found, not even the alleged missing swimming costumes.

This incident has caused us so much distress and embarrassment. My children were scared and traumatised. They kept asking me why we were searched and what we did wrong.

When my wife brought this incident to the attention of the Aloha Resorts Management, she was similarly disappointed at their less-than-interested and unfriendly attitude. They claimed that they could not do anything and conveniently categorised the incident as a personal spat between the Aloha cafe staff and my family.

My wife was even given the woman's cellphone number and told to sort it out personally with her.

Such cavalier attitude towards a member of the public who had patronised their establishment only goes to reflect the quality of service and talents of the managers and administrators of Aloha Resorts.

Samsidi Baderi