Years of torment with no clear cause


Living in fear: Tan, his wife Hee Yann Shiang (left) and Hiang Kee standing next to the couple’s paint-covered car.

JOHOR BARU: For three years, a family in Taman Johor has lived in fear after being repeatedly harassed by individuals who splashed paint and scattered nails and broken glass outside their home.

Morning market trader Tan Poh Guan, 40, said the latest incident happened in the early hours of Aug 12 when maroon paint was splashed across his car at the front porch.

“When my wife and I were about to head out to open our stall, we saw the top, side and front of our car covered with paint.

“Since last month, our house and car have been splashed with paint four times but no note was left behind,” he said in an interview.

Tan said that his family had never borrowed money nor offended anyone.

He said the torment began three years ago when he discovered broken glass pieces, nails and screws thrown in front of his house.

“At first, we thought it was accidental but similar incidents have happened almost every other day since then, leaving us puzzled and confused.

“Once, someone followed my wife to her workplace and slashed her tyre.

“After that, her tyres were punctured for no reason,” he said, adding that the family was exhausted from frequent car repairs.

Tan also said recent paint-­splashing incidents were caught on CCTV but the perpetrators’ faces and the car they were in were not visible as the attacks took place at night.

“We are at our wits’ end. We cannot figure out who is harassing us and fear they may take things further.

“We have two young kids and fear for our safety every day,” he said, adding that he had sought help from Iskandar Puteri City Council councillor Tan Hiang Kee.

Hiang Kee, who is also Johor MCA publicity chief, said she would help the family and request more police patrols in the area.

“If there had been a misunderstanding, I urge the offended ­parties to step forward to talk it out.

“If it is debt-related, I urge the moneylenders to clarify the ­matter instead of resorting to such harassment,” she said.

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