MAN BEATEN TO DEATH BY LOAN SHARKS IN JB

JOHOR BARU - An odd-job worker was beaten to death by a group of loansharks at the Sri Danga construction site in Taman Laguna over a RM2,000 debt.

Voon Fook Leong, 30, was allegedly captured by the group of Ah Longs over his debt and beaten repeatedly leaving him with severe injuries and a broken skull.

He was admitted to the Sultanah Aminah Hospital (HSA) intensive care unit before he slipped into a coma for about 26 days. He was pronounced dead on Wednesday.

His distraught father Voon Kio, 65, said one of the Ah Longs called his eldest son Fook Oon at 2am on Jan 8, saying that Fook Leong had borrowed RM2,000 from them but could not settle it on time.

“They told us that including the interest, we need to pay them RM15,000 or they will not let my son go and threatened to beat him non-stop.

“Worried about his safety, we immediately transferred the amount via three transactions between 5.30am and 11am on the same day, as they only gave us 10 hours to settle my son’s debt,” he said.

Thinking that the whole ordeal was over, the father thought he would be reunited with his son but was shocked to find out that his son had been admitted into the hospital.

“We are very heartbroken that this happened and did not expect that we will not be spending Chinese New Year with him,” he said in tears.

The elder Voon added that he knew that Fook Leong was having financial difficulties but had never complained about it to anyone.

Fook Leong’s body had been brought back to Pantai Remis in Sitiawan for cremation.

Johor Baru North OCPD Asst Comm Mohd Taib Ahmad who confirmed the case said that following the police reports made by the family, a suspect believed to be involved with the case had been arrested.

“The main suspect is still on the loose and an intensive investigation is being conducted to find the suspect. We urge people with any information to come forward and help us with the investigation,” he added. - ANN