By Karen Bong
KUCHING, April 18: Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Public Complaints Bureau (PCB) chief Milton Foo today raised serious concerns over a suspected breach of confidential information after a police report lodged by a victim allegedly ended up in the hands of an illegal money lender, exposing her to ongoing harassment and threats.
Foo highlighted the plight of a professional woman in her 40s who is now facing persistent intimidation believed to be linked to a debt involving her uncle, a loan she insists she neither agreed to nor had any knowledge of, despite being named as a guarantor.
“The victim first lodged a police report in May 2023 after receiving multiple threatening calls from unknown individuals demanding repayment. Fearing for her safety and that of her family, she sought police protection, and the matter remained dormant until recently.
“However, on April 9 this year, the victim received a WhatsApp message from an unknown number (+639560686579) demanding payment and threatening continued harassment at her home and workplace. Alarmed by the escalation, she filed another police report at the Padungan Police Station,” he told a press conference at SUPP headquarters today.
The situation took a more troubling turn on April 15 when she received another message from a different number (+6016- 410 6179) . The sender not only demanded a face-to-face meeting to settle the alleged debt but also attached an image of the police report she had just lodged.
Foo described the development as “deeply alarming,” noting that the police report contained highly sensitive personal information, including the victim’s identification number, home address, and workplace details.
“The victim lodged a police report to protect herself and her family, but instead, that very document has now fallen into the hands of a syndicate. This raises a very serious question — are we still safe? Is our personal information still protected?” he said.
He stressed that the case has left the victim living in constant fear, with concerns not only for her own safety but also for her 65-year-old mother, who is often alone at home. The ordeal has caused significant emotional distress, anxiety, and mental strain.
Foo questioned how such confidential information could have been accessed by unauthorised parties, raising the possibility of a leak within the police system or even a cybersecurity breach.
“How did the syndicate obtain a copy of the police report? Is there a flaw in the police system? Was it hacked, or is there another explanation? We do not know, but this must be thoroughly investigated,” he said.
He called on the authorities to urgently probe both the harassment case and the suspected breach of confidential police records, and to take immediate action to safeguard the victim and her family.
Foo added that the victim chose to come forward publicly in hopes of raising awareness, ensuring accountability, and encouraging others facing similar situations to seek help while exercising caution over their personal information. — DayakDaily
