NO MONEY? OK, I TAKE YOUR WIFE: Salesman loses land, cash & wife to Ah Long

When a 39-year-old salesman borrowed money from an 'Ah Long' or unlicensed moneylender to start a restaurant, he didn't realize his ordeal would last for 9 years.

According to the Star newspaper, the salesman - who has chosen to remain anonymous, has lost property and cash to the Ah Long.

Even his wife, who was only 29 years old at that time, has been taken by the moneylender. The salesman has already received a divorce threat from her.

The salesman has sought help from Ayer Keroh state assemblyman Khoo Poay Tiong.

Khoo plans to meet with top state police officers to discuss what sort of action  they can take against the aggressive moneylender.

Moneylender behind wife's request for divorce?

At a press interview to highlight his woes, the salesman said he had taken the RM270,000 loan to set up a restaurant in Taman Melaka Raya in 2004.

Business was going on smoothly and the salesman managed his debt accordingly until the interest for the principal bloated to 20%.

To settle the sum, the salesman handed over a piece of freehold land belonging to his younger brother in Paya Rumput here to the moneylender, and even a vehicle belonging to his wife in 2005.

He also paid RM150,000 as interes­t for the loan on the first month of securing the loan.

Despite handing over all his assets, the moneylender still demanded that his wife work for him.

The salesman said he suspected that the moneylender was behind the separation between him and his wife, and he believes that his ex-wife is still serving the money­lender.

Ah Long wants RM600,000 to settle

According to Khoo, the salesman has also handed over a piece of land in a prime area to the moneylender but he is still being hounded to settle 'ridiculous interest charges'.

Khoo also revealed said that in May, the salesman’s car was damaged and he suspects the moneylender is behind the vandalism. The following month, the salesman’s house and his brother’s car were splashed with red paint and a note demanding for arrears of RM600,000 was placed there.

On Oct 3, the salesman received a call from a man claiming to be an agent of the money­lender, demanding the payment to be paid at once.

The salesman has lodged a police report at the Malacca police headquarters last Friday.

The salesman fears that the money­lender will harm him if he fails to settle the amount.

Malaysia Chronicle