By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Dec 8: A 26-year-old single mother of two has lodged a police report after allegedly receiving threats from a man claiming to be an Ah Long (loan shark), who demanded she settle a RM500 debt said to be owed by her estranged husband.
The woman, who only wished to be known as Madam Chong, said she received WhatsApp messages simultaneously on two mobile phones from an unknown number at about 11.34am last Saturday (Dec 6).
The suspect allegedly sent a photo of her ex-husband holding his identity card, claiming the man owed money.
Despite being estranged for nearly seven years and having no involvement in any loan, she was told she had to pay the debt or face consequences.
Although not legally divorced, Madam Chong said she has been living separately from her husband for years and had told the sender to look for his current partner instead.
The suspect later made WhatsApp calls, during which he allegedly threatened to kidnap her children and harm her, claiming he could reach her home “within three hours”.
“He threatened to take my children and said he was only three hours away.
“He claimed he had our photos, our personal details, and even knew where we lived,” she said at a press conference held at Sarawak United Peoples’ Party Public Complaints Bureau (SUPP PCB) chief Milton Foo’s office today.
Madam Chong managed to record two WhatsApp audio calls in which the suspect can allegedly be heard claiming to be the “head of an Ah Long” and part of a gangster group, while issuing threats to burn her house and splash paint on the premises.
She said the man also sent her a video showing a house being set on fire as a warning.
Even more alarming were threats that she could be trafficked to Cambodia and forced into criminal or sexual exploitation, leaving her in fear for her own safety and that of her two sons, aged 8 and 10.
Fearing for their lives, Madam Chong filed a police report at Batu Kawah Police Station at about 3.20pm on the same day.
Speaking to the press, Foo said Madam Chong is an innocent victim who never borrowed money herself.
“She is just an emergency contact. Her estranged husband gave her phone numbers without her knowledge. Now she is being threatened,” he asserted.
He warned the public not to give in to such demands, even if the amount involved appears small.
“Although the amount involved is small — only RM500, but if you pay it, they may continue to extort you for larger sums. Once you give in and pay RM500, they may demand RM1,000, then RM2,000, and it will go on and on.
“Madam Chong did the right thing by lodging a police report, not paying anything, and coming to us for help,” he said.
Foo also stressed that under Malaysian law, only the borrower is responsible for a debt, unless a spouse or family member has signed as a guarantor.
“Debts do not automatically transfer to wives, children or relatives. Even if you are married, unless you signed as guarantor, you are not legally liable,” he explained.
He urged anyone facing similar threats to immediately lodge a police report and not engage or pay the perpetrators.
“This could even be a scam. With social media, anyone can get photos and personal information. Do not be intimidated. We live in a society governed by law,” he added.
Madam Chong, who works as a home cleaner, said she only hopes to live peacefully with her children and is appealing for the threats to stop.
Police investigations are ongoing. – DayakDaily
