KUALA LUMPUR: A homeowner wrongly targeted over another person’s alleged loan shark debt has received fresh threats against her family.
Leong, 46, a restaurant manager who has lived in her Kepong home for more than a decade, said the harassment continued even after her case was highlighted earlier this week.
“After I returned home from Tuesday’s press conference, I received another threatening voice message at about 4.15pm.
“They claimed they had details of all my family members and warned that if the borrower did not pay, not only my house but my sister’s house would be burned,” she said at a press conference organised by MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Seri Michael Chong at Wisma MCA here yesterday.
Leong said her sister, who has no connection to the alleged debt, has also lodged a police report after receiving threats.
“They said everything would be settled if the borrower came forward and paid. I did not respond because I have nothing to do with the debt.”
Leong bought the house in 2012, moved in after renovations in 2014 and later became the target of harassment linked to the previous owner’s son, who only wished to be known as Bong.
The e-hailing driver, 36, apologised to Leong and her family, saying he never intended for them to become victims.
Bong said he borrowed RM10,000 from an alleged loan shark in early July but received only RM6,000 after deductions.
Bong claimed he repaid about RM6,900, including interest, within days and believed the matter had been settled.
“Then I was told I still owed RM20,000. After negotiations involving the police and Michael Chong, the amount was reduced to RM5,000.”
Bong admitted to using the address on his identity card when applying for the loan, despite having moved out years earlier.
“I made a mistake by not updating my address. I never intended to cause trouble for the new homeowner,” he said.
Chong said the latest threats showed alleged loan sharks were continuing to intimidate innocent people despite widespread media attention.
“We cannot allow innocent families to live in fear because someone else borrowed money. The authorities must identify those responsible and stop these criminal acts.”
The department’s deputy chief, Ivan Tan, said the latest developments also raised questions about how alleged loan sharks appeared to obtain victims’ personal details almost immediately after police reports were lodged.
“This is not the first time we have seen this pattern. We are not making any allegations, but the authorities should investigate how such information is being obtained so quickly after a police report is made.”
