A household in Lorong Ikan Emas, Cheras has been subjected to harassment by loan sharks, popularly referred to as ah longs, due to a family member’s massive gambling debt.

The family member involved owes several different loan sharks a total of about RM300,000, and debt collectors have since set their house on fire, splattered paint on his gate, and made verbal threats, according to the debtor’s brother, Yee Tien Hou.

The most recent incident occurred on Dec 19 when their house was set on fire, and the conflagration damaged a motorbike, the fence, roof and electric cables.

“A few days before the ah long came, he called and warned the family,” said Tien Hou.

His brother, who owes money to ah longs, no longer lives with his family in Cheras as his family forced him to move out eight months ago.

“We already asked him to leave the house the first time the ah long came to pour paint at our house,” said Tien Hou.

His brother started borrowing money from loan sharks about three years ago due to his gambling habit.

The family experienced the first episode of harassment when the loan sharks splattered paint in their compound about five months ago.

They have helped pay off a previous debt but they are no longer able to help with the amount of debt their brother now owes.

“He has borrowed money since two to three years ago, a total of RM60,000 to RM70,000.

“We have helped him return around RM35,000 already and we can’t help him anymore,” Tien Hou said.

The family has filed multiple police reports regarding the harassment from loan sharks, but they claim that no action was taken.

“We filed a police report four or five months ago and another one on Dec 19 when the ah long burned our house.

“They only came to ask about what happened, took photos and that was it,” he said.

Gerakan public complaints bureau chairperson Wilson Lau Hoi Keong held a press conference today to urge the authorities to take more action on this case.

“On my behalf, I will help this family to ask the OCPD ‘have there been any arrests and is there any action from the police?

“Because there have been many telephone numbers given by the ah long on their leaflets, asking the family members to repay the money,” said Lau.

In validating their case against the loan sharks, Lau also referred to Section 436 of the Penal Code, which entails “mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to destroy a house...”

Illegal moneylenders often resort to unscrupulous tactics when collecting debts but many still flock to borrow from them as they provide an avenue for loans to customers banks often won’t entertain, or for those who borrow to for questionable purposes like gambling.