Ah long pressuring female victims into prostitution

KUALA LUMPUR: Unlicensed moneylenders have come up with a new scheme for female clients to settle their debts - by pressuring them into prostitution.

In at least three cases, the 'ah long' as they are commonly known, suggested that female clients under the age of 30 turn to prostitution to settle their debts, said Kuala Lumpur Consumer Safety Association (PKP) president Samsudin Mohamad Fauzi.

"The victims who were in fear of the 'ah long' and agreed to it to repay their debts.

"They (victims) informed PKP that they received a call from a brothel within 15 minutes of agreeing to it," he said.

He said the victims were rescued when PKP helped them to lodge a police report.

He said the association hoped women who defaulted on debts obtained from 'ah long' do not take this option.

"Our country has laws (to deal with ah long) so the public should not be afraid of them.

"Think twice before borrowing money from 'ah long' as it is like jumping from the frying pan into the fire," said Samsudin. - Bernama