1. Gather your proof.
Your invoices, agreements, bank transfer receipts and WhatsApp messages. Save the full conversations, especially messages where they acknowledge the debt or promise to pay. Don’t delete anything just because you’re angry.
2. Check exactly how much is still owed.
Have they paid part of it? Have you agreed to any discount? When was payment due? Get your numbers right before chasing them.
3. Send a clear written request for payment.
“Hi, the outstanding balance is RM____, which was due on ____. Please make payment by ____.”
Be specific. “Boss, when can pay?” is an invitation for another vague answer.
4. If they need instalments, agree on amounts and dates.
How much can they pay now? How much will they pay each month? On which date? Put it in writing and get them to confirm.
“I’ll pay when business improves” is not a payment schedule.
5. If they keep breaking their promises, get the claim assessed.
Bring your records to a lawyer. Ask what can be done, what it will cost, and whether recovery makes commercial sense. You don’t have to jump straight into a lawsuit; settlement may still be possible before court.
But if you’ve been hearing “next week” for six months, sending the same WhatsApp again probably isn’t going to change much.
P.S. If you’re worried about spending more money chasing a debt you might never recover, look for a lawyer who offers a success-fee arrangement. Ask what upfront fees and other costs still apply, so you understand your financial risk before proceeding.
Rudi Cheu (rudi@rulecolaw.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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