By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, March 22: A debt collection dispute took a dramatic turn when an employee of a licensed moneylender accused a group of men of assault and intimidation, only for the defence to later allege in court that the company itself had engaged in unethical practices, including threatening borrowers.
The incident, which occurred on March 19, 2025, was reported at Tabuan Jaya Police Station by the complainant, an employee of the moneylender.
According to the report, a customer arrived at the company’s office along Jalan Canna with several men, demanding to meet the employee responsible for contacting him regarding a debt. One of the men allegedly claimed affiliation with a gang.
When informed that the employee in question was in Johor, one of the customer’s associates allegedly assaulted the complainant by slapping him multiple times before the group reportedly threatened to damage the company’s offices in Tabuan Jaya and Satok if their demands were not met.
The complainant, who suffered pain in both cheeks, subsequently lodged a police report.
Following the report, the Criminal Investigation Division (D9) of Kuching District Police Headquarters launched an operation, leading to the arrest of a 39-year-old suspect at the Tabuan Jaya Police Station at approximately 1.05am today (March 22).
The case is being investigated under Sections 323 and 506 of the Penal Code for voluntary causing hurt and criminal intimidation.
During court proceedings, police cited the need for remand to complete the investigation, including taking the suspect’s fingerprints and photographs, as well as referring the investigation papers to the Sarawak Deputy Public Prosecutor’s Office.
However, in a twist, the court was informed that the complainant had withdrawn the police report.
Despite this, defence counsel Shankar Ram Asnani opposed the remand application, alleging that the moneylending company engaged in unethical debt collection practices, including threatening borrowers.
“They (the company) allegedly do licensed money lending, but behind the façade, they have agents and/or employees who call borrowers and threaten them, saying they will kill their parents and utter all sorts of dirty and threatening words,” he was quoted as saying in a notice of proceeding sighted by DayakDaily today.
He further claimed that there were threatening messages and voice recordings directed at his client’s close friend, including threats to kill or harm the friend’s parent.
Additionally, he argued that moneylending activities in Sarawak had deteriorated, with certain lenders allegedly misusing legal mechanisms to intimidate individuals.
After reviewing submissions from both parties, the court ruled on the remand application.
The decision, issued by Senior Assistant Registrar Nursyaheeqa Nazwa Radzali at 10.39am, dismissed the application. – DayakDaily
