SERI Delima assemblyman Connie Tan has called for swift action to halt the ongoing harassment and violence by loan sharks that have left a family and their neighbours living in fear at her constituency.
Tan said the harassment, which began last year, escalated in July this year when the borrower’s elder brother reported that his house had been splashed with paint.
She said the family initially paid RM23,330 in hopes of resolving the matter, but the loan sharks later demanded RM180,000, which the family paid on Nov 1.
The following day, the loan sharks demanded an additional RM320,000, an amount the family could not afford.
Tan said the refusal triggered further threats, intimidating messages and more harassment at their homes.
“Both the borrower’s elderly mother’s house and the brother’s house were targeted in repeated paint-splashing incidents. Neighbours were also affected, with damage reported to a house and a motorcycle despite having no involvement,” she said in a media conference.
Tan said the harassment had occurred multiple times, including two recent paint-splashing cases and an earlier fire-related attack.
She added that residents, including the borrower’s mother who is in her 80s, were now living in fear.
“The loan was taken solely by the borrower and that the family had no knowledge or consent, adding that the family had formally severed ties with the borrower in September.
She said the acts committed violated several Penal Code provisions, including Section 435 for mischief by fire, Section 506 for criminal intimidation and Section 384 for extortion.
“We are deeply concerned for the safety of the complainant, the family members and the neighbours,” she said, urging the intimidation to stop immediately.
Tan urged the police to take firm and swift action against the perpetrators to prevent further harm.
She said her office would continue assisting the victims and would support police investigations, including installing closed-circuit televisions (CCTVs) at strategic locations to enhance security.
“Multiple police reports have been lodged by the family over the incidents,” she added.
