2,700 Ah Long materials removed
Published on: Thursday, May 28, 2015
Kota Kinabalu: Some 2,700 posters and banners advertising loan shark services have been torn down in the on-going integrated operation between police and City Hall enforcement officers here since March. The operation code-named "Ops Vulture" was carried out in several locations to curb illegal money lending activities in the city. City Police Chief ACP M. Chandra, in a media conference, Wednesday, said 4,000 name cards advertising such services were seized during the same period.
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"We also arrested six men, aged between 20 and 30s, who were directly and indirectly involved in loan shark activities," he said, after the city police monthly gathering on Wednesday. He said of the figure, three men, all Chinese, are being investigated under Section 5(2) of the Moneylenders Act 1951 for involvement in unregistered money lending. "The other three, two locals and one Chinese, were charged under Section 29AA of the Money Lending Act 1951 for assisting in loan shark activities and fined RM3,500 each," he said. They had been assisting in the activity for two or three years. He said 17 contact numbers printed on the name cards, posters and banners have been referred to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission for termination.
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Chandra urged those who have been disturbed, threatened, borrowed and have any problems with loan sharks to lodge a report. "There is no need to worry that we cannot take action against these loan sharks because I assure that we can take action not only under the Money Lenders Act but also under the Prevention of Crime Act (POCA)," he said.
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He explained that under POCA, police have the authority to arrest and remand individuals for investigations for up to 72-days for investigations and if there was insufficient evidence to charge them in court, the period for remand can be extended. He urged those who come across such any activities to alert immediately alert the police at its 088-211091 Hotline or contact the City Commercial Crime Investigations Chief ASP Ruzaidi Saad at 016-5872944. "If there are any such posters or banners in your housing area, do not be afraid to take them down because they do not have City Hall's permission to put up such advertisements," he said. On another development, he said a total of 80 people with warrants of arrests have so far turned themselves in since the two-week Ops Warta was launched on May 18.The operation which will last until May 31 is aimed at tracing and detaining motorists who have warrants of arrest against them for failing to settle their long outstanding traffic summonses.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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