By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Sept 10: The public must understand the serious dangers of borrowing from unlicensed moneylenders, who often resort to harassment, threats, and intimidation to trap borrowers in an endless cycle of debt, warned Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak today.
DAP Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen’s special assistant, Michael Kong, said cases of harassment by illegal moneylenders are on the rise, citing a recent case involving a distressed family.
He revealed that Madam Tiong approached him regarding her sister, who has been borrowing from unlicensed moneylenders since January this year.
“Each time the family steps in to settle her debts, they discover the following month that she has borrowed even more money to sustain her lifestyle,” he said in a statement today.
The situation worsened when the moneylenders allegedly began threatening the family’s safety.
“Some of these moneylenders have now begun threatening the family’s safety, leaving them anxious and fearful,” Kong said.
He advised the family to lodge a police report immediately to safeguard themselves and formally document the harassment.
At the same time, his team is exploring negotiations to settle all outstanding debts in a lump sum without further interest charges.
“The most difficult challenge lies in ensuring that the sister does not fall back into this vicious cycle. It is vital for her, and for all members of the public, to learn from this experience and understand the serious dangers of borrowing from unlicensed moneylenders,” he stressed.
Kong also reminded those in financial difficulty to seek proper assistance through licensed financial institutions, government agencies, or credit counselling services that provide structured and legal solutions.
“Please seek proper help rather than trying to manage the problem alone,” he urged. — DayakDaily
