A family in Ipoh is yearning to just live a quiet life and be free of their nightmares following relentless threats and harassment by a group of loan sharks.
This comes after they endured years of torment over a debt that was owed by a family member whom they’ve already cut ties with.
House damaged with paint
Speaking at press conference, Fong Wai Sim said her 42-year-old son works in a food catering business in Singapore and often borrowed money from ‘Ah Longs’.
This was corroborated by Fong’s daughter Soo Meng Fong, who recounted that loan sharks would demand money from the family non-stop, reported The Star.
The uncontrolled borrowing eventually culminated in the form of the family’s home being splashed with red paint at 1.15am last Sunday (Dec 28), affecting their car and front gate.
A neighbour’s gate and porch were also caught in the crossfire as well.
Soo added that a day after the paint incident, loan sharks sent her a text message demanding money.
Cut ties fail to deter ‘Ah Longs’
Soo said a police report has been lodged, making it the second one being made since the loan sharks first harassed the family five years ago.
Fong expressed dismay over the situation, saying that she had previously helped clear her son’s debt many times.
I helped him many times before, but I have had enough this time. I don’t even know how much he borrowed. I am more upset and disappointed with him rather than angry,” she added.
The family has since cut ties with the family member but it failed to keep the loan sharks at bay, who still continue to hound them for money.
Soo said this had led to much unease and worry, especially for her aging parents.
“We are unable to sleep peacefully and become anxious whenever we see motorcycles or cars passing by the house.
“The loan sharks even said that if the matter is not settled, the house will be vandalised again.”
Meanwhile, Perak MCA Public Service and Complaints Bureau chief Charles Yuen, who organised the press conference, said illegal moneylending activities involving cross-border syndicates are on the rise.
He called upon the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to address illegal loan advertisements being shown online and offline.
Yuen also reminded the public to avoid unlicensed lending platforms and to instead turn to banks or licensed financial institutions.
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