Pursued by ah long after gambling losses

KUANTAN: A farmer lodged a police report at the Raub district police headquarters yesterday, after feeling that his safety was threatened after he failed to pay a debt of RM30,000 to an ah long (illegal money lender) in order to gamble at Genting Highlands, last month.
Pahang Commercial CID chief Supt Mohd Wazir Mohd Yusof said the 43-year-old victim claimed he was often harassed by an ah long, known as Ah Wei, after failing to make payments due to his gambling losses.
Mohd Wazir added that the victim had also pledged his Proton Wira car to the suspect as a guarantee for the loan on Sept 16.
"The victim claimed to have met the long ah known as Ah Wei in a casino on Sept 1 when he borrowed RM20,000 on condition that 20% of the money should be given to Ah Wei.
"On the same day, the victim has paid a loan of RM10,000 and another RM13,000 was paid on Sept 12. This situation forced the victim to make a fresh loan of RM30,000 from Ah Wei on Sept 16 to enable him to continue gambling," he told reporters, here today.
However, Mohd Wazir added that the victim was unable to service the second loan which resulted in the ah long incessantly calling him into making payments.
He said the victim finally lodged a police report, as he felt threatened by the suspect, besides wanting to get his car back.
Investigations were conducted under Section 5 (2) of the Moneylenders Act 1951 for carrying out money lending business without a licence and is liable to a fine of up to RM1 million or imprisonment of up to five years or both, upon conviction. — Bernama