By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, July 18: What began as a scam that robbed Madam Jong of nearly RM240,000 soon spiralled into deeper financial distress after she turned to moneylenders in a desperate bid to cover up the loss from her family.
The woman and her husband recently visited the service centre of Michael Kong Feng Nian, who is the special assistant to Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen, seeking help after nearly a year of trying to resolve the matter on their own.
According to Kong, Madam Jong was scammed in 2024 but chose not to inform her family out of fear and embarrassment. Instead, she borrowed money from multiple moneylenders to replenish her bank account and keep up appearances.
However, her situation quickly worsened. When her husband eventually discovered the truth, the couple worked together to repay all the borrowed funds, except for one outstanding loan.
That particular loan, Kong explained, was a RM18,000 sum borrowed from a moneylender in December 2024. The agreement required repayment over four years, totalling RM48,000.
Although Madam Jong made her January and February 2025 instalments, her husband later advised her to settle the loan in full.
“However, the moneylender refused and insisted that since she had signed a four-year repayment plan, she was obligated to pay the full RM48,000 be it in one lump sum now or over the four-years tenure,” Kong said in a statement today.
After speaking with the moneylender, Kong arranged a meeting between both parties.
Following negotiations, the moneylender agreed to terminate the contract provided that Madam Jong paid the RM18,000 principal and some administrative fees.
Sharing the case to raise awareness, Kong warned that scams and unregulated loans can lead to devastating financial consequences.
“This case highlights the dangers of financial scams and the risks of borrowing from moneylenders. We urge the public to be extremely cautious when dealing with unfamiliar financial schemes,” he said.
He further stressed the importance of speaking up and seeking help early.
“If you fall victim to a scam or face financial difficulties, do not suffer in silence. Seek help from trusted family members, friends or proper legal channels instead of turning to high-risk borrowing.
“Always verify financial deals, stay informed and most importantly, do not let fear or embarrassment stop you from getting the right help,” he added. – DayakDaily
