By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Oct 10: A 46-year-old civil servant who turned to gambling in a desperate attempt to ease his financial burdens has ended up owing RM5,150 to five groups of online loan sharks, with his wife also receiving threatening messages from the lenders.
The man, who declined to be named, said he regretted his decisions and appealed to the lenders to grant him more time to repay the outstanding debt in instalments.
He sought assistance from Sarawak United People’s Party Public Complaints Bureau (SUPP PCB) chief Milton Foo after the lenders allegedly sent threatening messages to his wife, adding to the financial and emotional strain on his family.
Speaking at a press conference today, he said that despite having a stable income as a civil servant, multiple loan commitments and other expenses left him with about RM2,500 a month.
In an attempt to improve his financial situation, he turned to gambling in the hope of making quick money. He subsequently sought loans through Facebook, Instagram and TikTok before borrowing from five groups of online moneylenders through WhatsApp.
He said some of the loans came with substantial upfront deductions. For example, he received only RM700 from a RM1,000 loan, while a RM2,000 loan yielded RM1,600.
His total outstanding debt has since reached RM5,150, which he said he could not afford to repay in a lump sum.
The man expressed regret over his financial decisions, saying the situation had affected his family. He also revealed that the pressure had become so severe that he had contemplated taking his own life.
Foo called on the online lending agents to stop imposing excessive interest and grant the borrower a reasonable period to repay the outstanding debt.
He also cautioned the public against borrowing through online platforms without carefully considering the terms and risks, noting that the consequences could affect not only personal finances but also careers and family relationships.
“We cannot allow this incident to cost us everything. We hope the man’s family can return to a normal life as soon as possible, allowing him to repay what he owes without having to bear excessive interest,” he said.
Foo confirmed that the man had lodged a police report yesterday (Oct 9) concerning the online loans and alleged harassment.
He said he hoped the case would serve as a reminder to the public to exercise caution when facing financial difficulties and avoid turning to gambling in the hope of making quick money.
Such decisions, he warned, could lead to mounting debts and financial difficulties that become increasingly difficult to resolve. — DayakDaily
