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Dec 7, 2009
Teen wanted to be loan shark
STUDENT Ang Zi hao, 15, used to see loansharking as a 'career option'. He said loan sharks seemed cool and powerful, and they were not afraid of others. But playing a loan shark in an anti-crime skit helped dispel that misconception. And he learnt that his old perception was coloured by the dramatised portrayal of loan sharks in dramas and movies. Zi Hao is a drama club student from Zheng Hua Secondary School. Together with his peers, they put up a skit to reinforce the serious consequences of borrowing through illegal means. About 500 residents watched their performance at the launch of a public awareness programme titled 'No Loansharks!' at Bukit Panjang Community Centre. The event was organised by the Bukit Panjang Neighbourhood Police Centre. Police revealed that the total number of loan sharks or loan shark runners arrested up till September this year has exceeded that of 2008. From January to September this year, 13,771 loanshark-related reports were made, up from 11,789 in 2008. Furthermore, 136 loan shark runners below the age of 19 were arrested between October 2008 and September this year. The lure of power and easy money might be some reasons why young people become loanshark runners. Check out how some of our teens are working to prevent others from falling prey to loan sharks on RazorTV.
Home > Breaking News > Singapore > Story
Dec 7, 2009
Teen wanted to be loan shark
STUDENT Ang Zi hao, 15, used to see loansharking as a 'career option'. He said loan sharks seemed cool and powerful, and they were not afraid of others. But playing a loan shark in an anti-crime skit helped dispel that misconception. And he learnt that his old perception was coloured by the dramatised portrayal of loan sharks in dramas and movies. Zi Hao is a drama club student from Zheng Hua Secondary School. Together with his peers, they put up a skit to reinforce the serious consequences of borrowing through illegal means. About 500 residents watched their performance at the launch of a public awareness programme titled 'No Loansharks!' at Bukit Panjang Community Centre. The event was organised by the Bukit Panjang Neighbourhood Police Centre. Police revealed that the total number of loan sharks or loan shark runners arrested up till September this year has exceeded that of 2008. From January to September this year, 13,771 loanshark-related reports were made, up from 11,789 in 2008. Furthermore, 136 loan shark runners below the age of 19 were arrested between October 2008 and September this year. The lure of power and easy money might be some reasons why young people become loanshark runners. Check out how some of our teens are working to prevent others from falling prey to loan sharks on RazorTV.
