A police officer who became famous after a video of him challenging loan sharks to a fight went viral on social media, has died.

According to China Press, Menglembu police chief ASP Chen Ah Kooy, 57, succumbed to an illness yesterday.

Last year, a 42-second video clip featured Chen in police uniform and wearing sunglasses warning loan sharks against posting banners advertising their services in his area.

He was depicted holding a man clutching a typical money lender banner found on lamp posts and trees.

"I don't want MCA and DAP complaining to me about 'ah long' stickers (in my area).

"If you have guts, you 'ah long' should come see me. Kita cek chow, kita bertarung (let's have a one-on-one fight).

"If you have a pistol, bring it with you. I know you have pistols bought from Thailand," he said.

Ipoh district police chief Sum Chang Keong had then praised Chen for the video, but said it could have been done in a more professional manner.

"(Chen's) initiative to make the (video) is good, but it should have been done professionally. Besides that, the words and language used by (Chen) were not appropriate," he said.