Latest news with #AhLong
New Straits Times
15-07-2025
- New Straits Times
Duo nabbed over arson of three homes, vandalism in Tasek Gelugor
GEORGE TOWN: Police have arrested two men in their 20s, believed to be behind an arson incident that gutted three double-storey terrace houses in Tasek Gelugor last month. The arrests were made during separate raids around Penang on July 3 by the state Commercial Crime Investigation Department. Penang deputy police chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said the suspects, who had admitted to involvement in multiple cases of paint vandalism, confessed during interrogation to committing the arson attack, which caused an estimated RM300,000 in damages. He said the fire not only razed three homes but also damaged five cars and four motorcycles parked nearby. "Investigators believe the arson and vandalism are linked to illegal moneylending activities. "The suspects were also connected to at least five cases of red paint splashing, commonly associated with Ah Long (loan shark) intimidation tactics, including one incident reported on June 30 in Tanjung Tokong," he said in a statement today. Alwi said that during the operation, police seized several items believed to have been used in the crimes, including a Yamaha Y16ZR motorcycle, a pair of sports rims, a motorcycle helmet, clothing worn during the incidents, a mobile phone and a crossbody bag. He said the case is being investigated under Section 436 of the Penal Code for mischief by fire, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years' imprisonment and a fine. He added that the paint vandalism cases are being investigated under Section 5(2) of the Moneylenders Act 1951 and Section 427 of the Penal Code. "We urge the public to report any form of harassment or threats from unlicensed moneylenders. "We will not hesitate to take strict action against individuals or syndicates who endanger the public," he added. It was earlier reported that police were conducting further investigations into a fire that destroyed three double-storey terrace houses in Taman Tasek Gelugor Utama on June 24, which was suspected to have been caused by loan sharks. A report was lodged by one of the homeowners, claiming the fire was believed to be the result of arson.(Hyperlink: )
The Star
01-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Illegal moneylenders getting increasingly aggressive, says MCA's Michael Chong
KUALA LUMPUR: Loansharks of Ah Longs have stooped to another level when it comes to intimidation by hosting "a funeral" for one of their borrowers, revealed Datuk Seri Michael Chong. The MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head said a victim by the name of Tan saw a portrait of himself in a wake setting, complete with joss sticks. 'The complainant had borrowed RM10,000 from a money lender for his business in February, and had repaid RM6,000. Previously, he had taken five different loans totalling RM50,000, all of which have been settled. 'On June 26, an Ah Long sent him a picture of a staged wake, which has since been deleted. This kind of intimidation shows how low they can go. Previously the Ah Long threw paint and fire bombs, but because this is considered arson, they are using psychological tactics,' he told a press conference at Wisma MCA on Tuesday (July 1). In another case involving a complainant by the name of Chan, the loan shark's runner has been harassing borrowers for more and more money. 'The complainant had borrowed RM700 and paid RM1,000 to this Ah Long who goes by the name of Kai Qian, but he kept demanding for more. 'On June 26, this loan shark began to send voice messages threatening the complainant. I suspect that this guy, who is a runner, has gone rogue without the knowledge of his boss, thus causing the company a big problem. As such, we have the duty to expose such individuals because some of these money lenders are legitimate,' he said. Chan had borrowed from nine different sources to cover his living expenses, and has settled two on his own, while he has managed to settle RM4,800 out of RM12,500 owed to the remaining seven. Chong also revealed a heartbreaking case involving a mother, Kuek Bee Bee, who wants to disown her son Chong Kok, who fled from money lenders. The 63-year-old from Cheras, who was sobbing over the fate of her family, is pleading with the money lenders to stop the harassment. 'The family has received multiple threats via phone calls demanding payment, as well as burning the house and kidnapping Kuek's grandchildren. 'Her son left the house on June 17 and the family has no knowledge of his whereabouts. The mother had previously paid RM13,000 of the debts in May, but the son borrowed more. 'The family was even locked out of their home with a chain and padlock, with a note instructing them to contact several numbers. The family has since lodged three reports in June,' Chong said, adding that the family is now living in fear, leading to the mother disowning her son. In view of rampant aggresive intimidation of borrowers, Chong's deputy Ivan Tan said there was need for stricter laws to address the matter, with the bulk of such cases falling under Section 506 and 503 of the Penal Code. 'Many of these Ah Long are quite aware of these laws and the punishment for it, and look for ways to skirt around them. 'So, we would like to urge the government to study the Penal Code pertaining to this issue,' said Tan, who is a lawyer. As of June, the MCA has received 165 moneylending related cases involving a sum of RM18.6mil, of which over 85% are from the Chinese community.
New Straits Times
28-06-2025
- New Straits Times
Nga: Don't fall prey to loan sharks, use licensed moneylenders
PUTRAJAYA: The Housing and Local Government Ministry has urged the public, particularly those facing financial difficulties, not to fall prey to illegal money-lending schemes. Minister Nga Kor Ming instead advised the public to obtain loans only through licensed moneylenders registered under the Moneylenders Act 1951. He said that under the Act, the annual interest rate must not exceed 18 per cent for unsecured loans and 12 per cent for secured loans. "Moneylenders are not allowed to impose total interest charges that exceed the principal amount," he said in a statement here today. The statement was issued following a fire involving three terrace houses in Taman Tasek Gelugor Utama, which is believed to be linked to the activities of illegal moneylenders. Nga said Section 29(B) of Act 400 prohibits licensed moneylenders or their representatives from going to borrowers' homes or workplaces to collect repayments or to intimidate them. "In the event of a violation of this provision, the public is urged to immediately lodge a report with the ministry or the police so that appropriate action can be taken against those involved," he said. Nga also advised the public to check the status of moneylenders via the i-Kredikom application or by contacting the ministry to ensure they were licensed and registered. He said the ministry took a serious view of illegal moneylending activities by Ah Long or loan sharks, which preyed on low-income and desperate groups, affecting the safety and well-being of the people. "Ah Long or illegal moneylenders often take advantage of individuals who are desperate due to financial hardship by trapping them in a vicious cycle of debt through exorbitant interest rates, harassment and violence," he said. Nga also urged the police to take firm and comprehensive action to eradicate the activity from its roots. Police are conducting further investigations into a fire that destroyed three double-storey terrace houses in Taman Tasek Gelugor Utama on Tuesday, which is suspected to have been caused by loan sharks. –Bernama
The Star
28-06-2025
- The Star
Avoid loan sharks so you don't get 'home visits', borrowers told
PUTRAJAYA: Those seeking financial assistance should only go to licensed moneylenders and never to Ah Long or loan sharks, says Nga Kor Ming. The Housing and Local Government Minister said licensed moneylenders are governed by the Moneylenders Act 1951. "Under the Act, interest rates for unsecured loans must not exceed 18% per annum and no more than 12% per annum for secured loans. "The Act also prohibits licensed moneylenders or their representatives from visiting borrower's homes or workplaces to collect repayments," he said in a statement on Saturday (June 28). He said that the public could also report any violation of the Act to his ministry or the police for action to be taken. "The public is also advised to verify the status of licensed moneylenders by calling the ministry or with the i-Kredikom mobile application," he said. Nga also urged the police to take firm action to put an end to loan sharks once and for all. "Loan sharks or 'Ah Long' often take advantage of those in financial distress, trapping them in a violent debt cycle involving outrageous interest rates, harassment and violence," he said. He said this in reference to a fire that destroyed three houses in Taman Tasek Gelugor, Penang, on Tuesday (June 24), which is believed to be linked to loan shark activity.
Rakyat Post
26-06-2025
- Rakyat Post
Ah Long Address Mistake: Three Homes Destroyed In Penang Arson
Subscribe to our FREE A devastating fire broke out on Tuesday morning at a residential area in Tasek Gelugor, Penang, destroying three houses, five cars and four motorbikes. The incident was believed to be a targeted Ah Long attack. In a Facebook post shared by He also noticed a threatening note left on the neighbour's front gate along with a bottle containing left-over petrol. The message was clear and scary: 'Pay your debt or your house will burn.' Photo: Facebook/Mohamad Asrul But the twist was, the letter was addressed to a totally different house, which was further down the street, with the borrower's full name and IC number included in it. The real problem was, the Ah Long had splashed petrol on the wrong houses. Feeling worried by the discovery, Asrul went to the police station that same morning to lodge a report. After taking his statement, the police told him to go home and wait for them to come and collect evidence. However, after hours turned into days, they allegedly never came. Turns out, the note wasn't just an empty threat At 4am on 24 June (9 days after the police report was lodged), the homes were set ablaze. Asrul and his family were asleep when they were awakened by the sounds of car horns and shaking of their gate as neighbours tried to alert them about the fire. Thanks to his neighbours' fast response, Asrul and other neighbours managed to escape safely. According to him, an explosive device was thrown into one of the houses, triggering a huge explosion. 'Someone else took the loan but we're the ones paying the price,' Asrul wrote at the end of his post, clearly frustrated with the situation. However, despite the incident, Asrul remained thankful to everyone who stepped in to help, including the firefighters, police and all the people in his neighbourhood. Photo: Facebook/Mohamad Asrul Assistant Director of the Fire and Rescue Operations Division, Pulau Pinang Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM), John Sagun Francis said that his department was alerted to the incident through an emergency call at 4.52 am. 'The fire was completely put out at 5.59 am and monitoring was completed around three hours later,' he added. However, the cause of the incident and total losses are still under investigation, as reported by Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
