BY: SYAFUL MOHAMAD

A new group of ‘Ah Longs’ or loan sharks have emerged who extort and attack the homes of debtors by using petrol bombs and threatening family members and not even sparing the pets of these people who owe money.

They operate more by extortion bids and are different from the usual loan sharks, who would leave a borrower of money alone once they have settled their loan in full, and show no mercy on people who have borrowed money from them.

It has come to the extent where these extortionist syndicates will harass a borrower of a loan despite having settled the full loan, interest and other charges by making unreasonable demands to pay up more than is necessary.

These extortionist syndicates are so brazen and bold that they even record themselves in the attacks and send the footage to the victims and even challenge victims to lodge police reports against them.

Given this scenario and the fact that these extortionist syndicates have no fear of the authorities and operate on their own accord and not under the Moneylenders Act it is time for law enforcement agencies to deal appropriately with these people.

There has to be in place as well education and awareness created on how to borrow money and who to borrow from for Malaysians to ensure there are no foul or corrupt acts by a hard pressed person wanting to borrow money.

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE

** The views expressed on this opinion is of the writer and not the publisher