“I’m not refusing to repay the money. I just hope they will give me a chance to find a job and pay off the debt.”
A 24-year-old disabled man is appealing to loan sharks to give him time to find work and repay his debts after he allegedly mistook loan shark’s app for a government financial assistance platform.
RM4,000 loan snowballs to RM17,000
The man, identified as Jiang Jun Xian, reportedly borrowed more than RM4,000 through the app two months ago, only to see the amount balloon to around RM17,000 within just two months.
Jiang, who lives in Ampang with his 39-year-old foster brother Liu Yao Quan, has intellectual, physical and learning difficulties stemming from a high fever he suffered as a child.
According to Liu, Jiang had mistaken the loan shark application for a platform to apply for government assistance due to his limited ability to distinguish online information.
The two had previously sought help from Selangor DAP Public Complaints Bureau deputy chief Lee Wen Bin in late July, hoping to negotiate with the loan sharks and ask them to stop harassing Jiang temporarily so he could find a job and repay the debt gradually.
Threatening messages sent
However, the loan sharks allegedly continued sending threatening messages, including images showing arson and red paint attacks.
The constant threats reportedly left Jiang feeling trapped, and he had even considered ending his life.
Liu said Jiang’s father had asked him to take care of his younger brother before he passed away, and he has continued to look after Jiang over the years.
“I cannot bear to see him face this situation alone. We will face it together and find a way to solve the debt problem,” Liu said. He added that the pair are currently unemployed and have been struggling to find a way out of the situation.
“Jiang just wants to earn money with his own hands to repay the debt. We only hope they will give us some time to find work.”
Both now working at food centre
The two brothers have since started working temporarily at a food centre after being introduced to the job by someone last week.
Their employer reportedly pays each of them RM50 per week, with meals not provided. They work around six to eight hours a day. However, as their wages will only be paid on September 7, they do not yet know how much they will actually receive.
The pair have also lodged two police reports over the alleged threats. Police have reportedly told them that patrols around their residential area will be increased to ensure their safety.
Lee to contact loan sharks
Lee said although the pair have not yet been confronted by the loan sharks at their home, the continuous threatening messages and images have left them living in fear.
He said he plans to contact the loan sharks and appeal for them to give the brothers more time to repay the debt, particularly as Jiang is a disabled person who needs additional time to find suitable employment.
“If you don’t give them time to find work, how are they supposed to earn money to repay the debt? Constantly threatening and pressuring them will not solve the problem. It could instead push someone to the brink,” Lee said.
He also said he plans to lodge a complaint with the Communications Ministry over the loan shark application and urged the authorities to investigate and take action.
Lee once again reminded the public not to borrow money from loan sharks.
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