JOHOR BARU: Johor police had crippled the most active illegal money-lending syndicate (ah long) in the state by arresting three of its members last month.
State police chief Comm Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad said the suspects, two local men and a local woman, aged 21 to 30, were detained in Johor Baru and Kluang.
“They were suspected of acting as intermediaries for the syndicate,’’ he said in a statement on Friday (Oct 10).
Comm Ab Rahaman said the initial investigation found they were paid RM1,000 for each act of treachery with fire and RM550 for paint spraying, including pasting a threatening notice at the victim’s house.
He said that the syndicate started operating in February this year and actively promoted its services on the social media platforms.
“The loans will be credited directly to the borrower bank’s account,’’ added Comm Ab Rahaman.
He said borrowers were forced to pay interest rates of 20% to 50%, even though they did not agree to the terms and conditions imposed in the loan agreement.
Comm Ab Rahaman said that failing to pay the interest would result in threats of fire, vandalism, or the posting of threatening notices at their house.
“Their targets are Malaysians working in Singapore and all transactions are done using the Singapore-registered bank accounts,’’ he added.
Comm Ab Rahaman said with the arrest, police had solved 34 cases related to criminal intimidations by the syndicate- 18 cases in Johor Baru, six in Kulai, Kluang (three), Pontian, Batu Pahat and Mersing each with two cases respectively, and one case in Kota Tinggi.
He said 34 investigation papers were referred to the Johor Prosecution Director's office, and police had obtained charge instructions.
Comm Ab Rahaman stated that the charges are based on Sections 436, 435, 427, 507 and 202 of the Penal Code.
He said seven investigation papers involving 14 charges were read at the Johor Baru Court, and four investigation papers with seven charges at the Kulai Court.
“The remaining 24 charges will take place in stages at courts in Johor Baru, Kota Tinggi, Pontian, Mersing and Kluang,’’ said Comm Ab Rahaman.
