2007 05: Gambler’s family flees loan sharks

NST online. Local News. 22/05/07

KUALA LUMPUR: A woman is on the run from loan sharks, leaving her husband and four children to face the music.

The 33-year-old housewife allegedly owes six loan sharks about RM60,000 and has been on the run for the past two weeks after failing to settle her debts.

This is the third time in seven months that the woman, a compulsive gambler, had got in trouble with the Ah Long. Previously, her husband had bailed her out to the tune of RM110,000.

With no one to turn to for help, her husband, Goh Toke Yew, yesterday sought the help of the MCA Public Service and Complaints Department head, Michael Chong.

This is the second time they have sought the help of Chong. In February, Chong spoke to several loan sharks and bought the family time to settle a RM40,000 debt.

"We are in trouble again," Goh said."This time, my entire family is being threatened. We have gone into hiding. We are no longer staying at our house in Puchong."

Goh said he realised his wife had gone missing after a family friend told him two weeks ago that his wife had borrowed RM5,000 from him.

"I tried to contact my wife but her mobile phone was switched off. That was when I realised that she was in trouble with the loan sharks again." Several days later, the family started getting visits from loan sharks in the mornings and at night.

"In the morning, they would hurl abuse at us. At night, they would splash red paint in front of our house. This has been going on for several days now," he said.

"They have even visited me at my work place in Cheras." Goh works as a soft drink supplier.

The family, including Goh’s elderly parents, have gone into hiding.

Goh has lodged two reports at the Puchong police station.

Chong said that it was time that the authorities started taking action against the borrowers.