JOHOR BARU: A 72-year-old woman is living in fear and losing sleep after illegal moneylenders began threatening and harassing her family over her son’s debt.
Home-based tailor known as Ang said she first received calls from a group of ah long in August claiming her second son owed them S$21,600 (RM68,984) in start-up funds for a food and beverage business.
"I tried contacting my son, who only told me that he would settle the matter, before subsequently ignoring my calls and messages," she told a press conference here on Monday (Sept 21).
"The ah long repeatedly demanded (money from) me and my youngest son, leaving us with no choice but to help settle the debt.
"My youngest son even had to borrow money from his employer to raise the amount."
Ang said the last time she saw her second son was in July when she was hospitalised after a fall.
She said the 47-year-old man works as a hawker in Singapore and does not return to their home in Taman Perling often.
Ang said the family thought the ordeal was over after the debt was paid, but several days later, three different groups of ah long contacted her, claiming that her son now owed them more than RM81,000 in total.
"I still cannot get in touch with my son despite making more than 50 calls and sending messages to him for clarification.
"The constant threats and harassment caused me immense stress, as the moneylenders threatened to splash paint on my house and set fire to it.
"I have installed CCTV cameras and now sleep in the living room to keep watch in case anyone does something to our home," she said, adding that the family no longer has the means to help her son and decided to sever ties with him.
She added that a police report has also been lodged in Singapore as the ah long claimed they are from there.
Johor MCA publicity chief Tan Hiang Kee, who organised the press conference, urged the moneylenders to look for the borrower instead of harassing Ang and her elderly husband, who are under immense stress as a result.
She added that the couple was also considering moving out as they fear for their safety.
