KUALA LUMPUR, July 12 -- A routine grocery run turned into what one couple described as a humiliating ordeal after the hypermarket staff in Selayang allegedly accused a shopper who was 38 weeks pregnant of hiding stolen items under her clothing because of the shape of her baby bump.

The incident, posted by the woman's husband on Threads yesterday and later shared on Facebook, has since sparked debate online over how suspected shoplifting cases should be handled and whether customers' dignity was respected.

According to the husband, a staff member stopped them after they had paid for their groceries and asked his wife: "What are you hiding in your belly?"

He said he immediately demanded to know what item his wife was accused of stealing...