Thwarting the loan sharks

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SEIZED: Firdaus (second left) and his deputy DSP Mustapha Kamal Gamal (left) showing the banners removed from public places during Ops Cantas Khas Ah Long.

Police, working with local councils, take down posters, flyers put up by illegal money lenders

KUCHING: The police removed more than 300 illegal posters, banners and flyers put up in public places here by illegal money lenders under Ops Cantas Khas Ah Long yesterday.

The two-hour operation which started at 9am was jointly mounted with Kuching North City Commission (DBKU), Kuching City South Council (MBKS), and Padawan Municipal Council (MPP), covering the areas under the jurisdiction of the three local councils in the city.

Disclosing this at a press conference here, State Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) head Supt. Mohd Firdaus Abdullah said eight police reports were made based on information gathered from the posters.

He added the police were also tracing the loan sharks through contact numbers advertised in the posters and would discontinue the services of the phones.

“All the contact numbers stated on the posters and flyers will be recorded and sent to Malaysia Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to stop their services.”

The people putting up the posters would also be referred to the local councils to be charged under the Local Authorities (Advertisement) By-law 2012 for advertising in public places without permits.

The provisions of the by-law state that no poster shall be displayed without the approval of the local authority, offenders could be fined not exceeding RM5,000 or jailed not more than six months.

The CCID chief advised those in need of money not to borrow   from loan sharks no matter how desperate the situation was as it would lead to more serious trouble later.

“Money borrowed from Ah Long is not easy to pay back because they imposed high interest compared to banks and other legal sources.

“When borrowers are trapped by Ah Long it will not only expose them to danger and difficulties but also to their family members and  relatives.”

Firdaus also disclosed that three men were charged in court with illegal money lending yesterday.

He added that this year nine persons were arrested in connection with the ‘loan shark’ activities while another three cases were under investigation.

“It is not an easy task to take any action against the money lenders or Ah Long as the victim would not cooperate with the police in the investigation,” he said.

Under Section 5 of the Money Lending Act 1951 anyone convicted of lending money without valid licence could be fined between RM250,000 and RM1 million or jailed up to five years or both.

Whipping could also be imposed on repeat offenders.