PASIR GUDANG: A single mother and her family here are living in fear of loan sharks who have threatened to burn their house down over loans taken by her ex-husband.
The woman, who wanted to be identified only as Yeng, 42, said that apart from sending threatening text messages, the loan sharks also splashed yellow paint on her sister's house.
"I lost contact with my ex-husband after our separation about 10 years ago and have since been living with my sister.
"Our nightmare started in the middle of last month when I begin receiving threatening text messages from the loan sharks asking to pay back the money my ex-husband borrowed.
"They later came to my sister's house and left a note urging him to pay back the money.
"On Oct 3, they threw yellow paint at the house, causing damage to the gate and two cars," she said, adding that the family had to fork out about RM2,000 to repair the damages.
Her family's safety is at risk, she told a press conference organised by Johor Jaya DAP public complaints bureau chief Mok Meng Haw on Thursday (Oct 12).
Mok (right), Yeng (second from left), Chee (second from right) and Johor Jaya assemblyman Liow Cai Tung's special officer Lee Wern Yiing (left) showing the police reports and photos of the incidents
The mother of two, a company executive working in Singapore, is especially concerned as her two children, aged 14 and 18, are living in the same house.
"I am only home once a week. My children are living in the house with my sister, brother-in-law, brother and mother.
"All of us are now having restless nights as we do not know when they will strike again," she said.
She said this was not her ex-husband's first brush with loan sharks.
"He borrowed money from loan sharks before. In fact, that was the reason for our divorce.
"The house we lived in while we were still married was also splashed with paint.
"Now, a decade after our separation, we are going through the same ordeal although we are no longer in contact with him," she said, adding that three police reports had been filed over the harassment.
Her sister, who gave her name only as Chee, 44, said the loan sharks should leave them alone as they had nothing to do with the money.
"The person who borrowed it should face the consequences. We are traumatised," she added.
Mok urged the ex-husband to come forward and settle his debts.
"Last week, we held another press conference by a man whose house was also splashed with paint.
"The house was previously owned by Yeng's ex-husband but he sold it to the current owner years ago.
"Instead of going after the (borrower), the loan sharks are harassing his ex-wife and the man who bought his house.
"I urge him to do the responsible thing and own up to his actions," he said.
When contacted, a police official confirmed that they have received the reports.
