An elderly father made the heartbreaking decision to publicly cut ties with his estranged son who not only saddled the family with insurmountable debts, but also exposed them to potential danger.
Speaking to reporters during a press conference, 72-year-old Chen (transliteration), recounted the actions of his wayward son and how it led to the family now fearing for their safety.
Received threatening calls
According to Chen, he said the family had previously coughed up RM15,000 to help his 33-year-old son, who currently works in Johor, pay off his debts last year.
However, that failed to satisfy the loan sharks, who proceeded to hound the family with threatening phone calls during Chinese New Year recently.
Chen added a total of RM40,000 was paid on behalf of his son by the family but said no one knew what the money was borrowed for.
My son never tells the family anything. He didn’t even tell us that he got married last Christmas.
“My wife and I are deeply heartbroken and have given up on him. From today onwards, we are cutting ties with our son and do not want to worry about his matters anymore,” he said.
Chen added that he believes his son owes around RM200,000 in bank loans and credit card debts alone.
Meanwhile, MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Seri Michael Chong, who was also present, said his department has received 60 cases regarding loan sharks involving over RM5 million in total this year so far.
Chen’s case isn’t the first instance where parents have disowned their children over loan shark troubles:
