Hisham: Police hunting 9 loan shark leaders

The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Police have identified nine more loan shark (Ah Long) leaders and are now hunting them down, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.

“We have arrested some before and some have fled to neighbouring countries, I am here to tell them that they can run but they cannot hide forever.

“They will still be hunted, investigated and prosecuted,” he said when met at the MCA Chinese New Year open house on Sunday.

Commenting on an incident on Saturday where a woman’s car was burnt by Ah Longs, Hishammuddin said he would not compromise when it came to loan sharks.

“In the latest incident in Taman Sri Permai in Setapak, I was informed that the victim’s car was burnt. The husband has run away and has been in hiding since last September.

“To do this one day before Chinese New Year is inhumane, moreover, when it is aimed at an innocent victim. The husband has been afraid for one year.

“This time, they went after the wife and the family since they cannot get the husband.

“We will find, investigate and prosecute the culprits. Everyone knows my stand when it comes to Ah Longs,” he added.

Hishammuddin said three to four suspects had been arrested over Saturday’s incident, adding that two individuals on a motorcycle had burnt the Atos car causing damages of between RM15,000 to RM20,000.

“Yesterday’s (Saturday) incident shows that they do not have pity or sympathy and are inhumane. When they cannot go after the borrower, they end up going after the wife and family members.

“We cannot allow such things to happen anymore. We will hunt them until the end.

“Just because I do not say anything about Ah Longs, does not mean we are not monitoring them,” he added.

Meanwhile, MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Michael Chong urged people not to borrow money from loan sharks or give them empty promises after borrowing the money.

“Borrowers should know that it is illegal to borrow money from loan sharks.

“Why borrow from them? If you borrow, then you must face the consequences,” he said when met at the MCA Chinese New Year open house on Sunday.

Chong warned loan sharks that the Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein was well aware of their activities.

“He has all the information at his finger tips. He knows who these people are.”

Chong, who has helped many loan shark victims through the MCA Public Services and Complaints Department, said more than 80% of those who borrowed money from loan sharks were involved in gambling.

“The police have also said this. The worst is online gambling. People should stop borrowing from loan sharks.”

Making empty promises to loan sharks, he added, would only agitate them.

“Some will ask loan sharks to come to their house to collect the money but will make them wait around the whole day without reason, thus agitating them.

“Some loan sharks are reasonable but some are aggressive.”