SIBU: Four local men, allegedly working as debt collectors for an unlicensed moneylender (Ah Long), were arrested last week.
Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mohd Azman Ahmad Sapri said the first three suspects were taken into custody along Jalan Lada on Friday (Sept 22).
He said a crime prevention patrol team had intercepted a suspicious-looking Proton Wira around 8.50 pm on that day. Inside the vehicle were three local men, aged between 20 and 40.
“Inspection of the vehicle led to the finding of two bottles containing red liquid and a lock chain on the front passenger seat.
“The team also found three phones and two pieces of paper containing threatening notes in a sling bag.
“All the suspects and seized items were taken to the police station for further investigation,” he told a press conference today at the Sibu police headquarters (IPD).
The suspects admitted to being employed as debt collectors for an Ah Long named ‘Akmal’.
Mohd said the suspects received a RM300 payment for each task, which included delivering threatening notes and splashing paint on the homes of debtors who failed to repay their loans which were applied through Facebook.
Following that, the police made another arrest, bringing the total number of suspects to four.
“With the arrests, police have resolved at least nine cases involving criminal threats and acts of mischief within the Sibu district.
“Two of them are being investigated under Section 5(2) of the Moneylenders Act 1951 while, the remaining cases are being investigated under Section 427 of the Penal Code,” he said.
Mohd Azman urged the public not to apply for loans from unlicensed or online moneylenders.
Those with information about criminal activities are advised to contact the nearest police station or the Sibu IPD operations room at 084-364373.
