KUALA LUMPUR - The public has been again warned not to borrow from loan sharks as they are becoming increasingly "unreasonable" when it comes to debt collection, said MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Seri Michael Chong.
"I have helped distraught families settle their debts with the Ah Long for over 20 years now, but it is becoming more difficult to reason with them lately," said Chong, who has met City CID chief Senior Asst Comm Datuk Ku Chin Wah to discuss the issue.
Chong said loan sharks had in the past splashed red paint on a borrower's house and that they now were resorting to more drastic measures like locking the affected family in or out of their houses.
"There was once I had to help a distraught family member remove the locks at her house with bolt cutters," said Chong.
Chong added that his department had received 368 pleas for help to settle problems with loan sharks this year, involving over RM24mil of monies owed.
"About 15 per cent of these cases can be re- solved with the help of friends and family, but the other 85 per cent could not be solved because the borrowers' families simply do not have the money to repay their debts," said Chong.
Chong was also starting to find it difficult to even reach a settlement for those who could repay their debts as some Ah Long refused to settle for the principal amount.
Chong met Ku because he felt the methods used by the Ah Long to harass innocent family members were getting out of control.
"Datuk Ku assured me that if there are reports of Ah Long who use dirty tactics like violence and threats to harass innocent family members, he will personally see to it that action is taken," said Chong.
Chong also claimed that loan sharks were now more brazen in their debt collection methods because the emergency ordinance that was sometimes used to put them behind bars had been repealed.
Ku confirmed that he had met Chong and said the police would use available laws to act if there was any violence or criminal offences committed by Ah Long.
"I have helped distraught families settle their debts with the Ah Long for over 20 years now, but it is becoming more difficult to reason with them lately," said Chong, who has met City CID chief Senior Asst Comm Datuk Ku Chin Wah to discuss the issue.
Chong said loan sharks had in the past splashed red paint on a borrower's house and that they now were resorting to more drastic measures like locking the affected family in or out of their houses.
"There was once I had to help a distraught family member remove the locks at her house with bolt cutters," said Chong.
Chong added that his department had received 368 pleas for help to settle problems with loan sharks this year, involving over RM24mil of monies owed.
"About 15 per cent of these cases can be re- solved with the help of friends and family, but the other 85 per cent could not be solved because the borrowers' families simply do not have the money to repay their debts," said Chong.
Chong was also starting to find it difficult to even reach a settlement for those who could repay their debts as some Ah Long refused to settle for the principal amount.
Chong met Ku because he felt the methods used by the Ah Long to harass innocent family members were getting out of control.
"Datuk Ku assured me that if there are reports of Ah Long who use dirty tactics like violence and threats to harass innocent family members, he will personally see to it that action is taken," said Chong.
Chong also claimed that loan sharks were now more brazen in their debt collection methods because the emergency ordinance that was sometimes used to put them behind bars had been repealed.
Ku confirmed that he had met Chong and said the police would use available laws to act if there was any violence or criminal offences committed by Ah Long.
