Loan sharks, or Ah Longs, are known for their ruthless tactics in inflicting as much misery and terror on borrowers and their families in order to recoup the money they’ve loaned out.
Such was the case for a family in Kuala Lumpur, where the mother and sister of a man who took his own life over debt he owed to a loan shark found themselves targeted and hounded with no respite in sight.
Ah Long harasses family of M’sian man who killed himself
In a report by NST, MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Seri Michael Chong said the family believes the victim was driven to suicide by hanging himself on Nov 8, 2024, due to relentless pressure by a loan shark.
When the first day of Chinese New Year arrived on Jan 29, a loan shark known as Marcus Sam contacted the victim’s family and demanded repayment.
Despite the family showing proof that the victim was no longer alive, the loan shark allegedly refused to relent and continued to hurl threats at them.
“On Jan 29, the loan shark contacted the complainant (deceased’s sister) via WhatsApp regarding her late brother’s debt.
“The sister was shocked as she had not been in contact with her late brother for three years prior to his death due to his habitual borrowing. The family, too, had distanced themselves from him because he constantly borrowed money, causing them problems,” said Chong.
When the loan shark couldn’t get a penny out of the victim’s mother, he turned his attention towards his sister by posting photos of her on Facebook with the words “borrow money, return money” on Feb 1 in an attempt to pressure her into repaying.
How do you expect the family to repay the debt when the loan shark never told them how much was owed?
“On top of that, the loan shark even threatened to set the family’s home on fire,” added Chong.
Police reports made
Following the endless harassment, the victim’s family has since lodged two police reports at the Seri Kembangan police station on Feb 2 and Feb 7 respectively.
Meanwhile, MCA Selangor Public Services and Complaints Bureau head and lawyer Ivan Tan said they will call upon the police to take necessary measures under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and Section 383 of the Penal Code for extortion.
Under Section 233, offenders face a fine of up to RM50,000, one year in prison, or both, while Section 383, which is punishable under Section 384, carries 10-year jail term, a fine, or whipping.
Earlier this year, a young man also took his life after he was unable to pay a RM1,600 debt to a group of Ah Longs:
