JOHOR BARU: A couple emptied RM300,000 in life savings and retirement money to settle their son’s gambling debts and give him a second chance.
But their troubles are not over. Debt collectors are now hounding them for another RM400,000 supposedly racked up by their 26-year-old son.
The 59-year-old father, who wished to be known only as Tan, said he and his wife had been repeatedly harassed and threatened by debt collectors, while their son could no longer be contacted.
“We cannot stand the emotional toll of harassment and threats. We can no longer pay the rest of his debts because I do odd jobs for a living,” he said.
Tan said his son, a salesman who previously lived with them in Johor Baru, had been the subject of calls from people claiming he owed gambling debts since January last year.
“Although we were shocked, we used all our savings and EPF money to pay off his debts because we wanted to give him a chance,” he said.
Earlier this year, his son became distant and told the family that he had quit his job and moved to Kuala Lumpur for work.
“We rarely see him now,” Tan said.
He said demands for money began again soon after, but this time the amount was much higher, at about RM400,000.
Some people showed up at their house for the money.
“They said they could not find our son, so they came after us,” he added.
Tan and his wife had not been in contact with their son for months and had decided to sever ties with him.
“The debt collectors should pursue him instead of harassing us as we have nothing to do with his gambling debts,” he said.
The couple have sought help from Johor MCA Youth public services and complaints bureau chief Henry Mok.
Mok said gamblers should not drag family members into personal debts.
“The person who owes money should be held responsible,” he said.
Mok will request the police to increase patrols if debt collectors continue to harass the couple.
He also urged the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission and Communications Ministry to step up monitoring of gambling websites.
