By John Jebanesan

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: Long known as the "bad boys", Ah Longs are now finding themselves at the receiving end of the stick.

The startling disclosure came from MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Michael Chong, who said that Ah Longs were being victimised by a group which claimed to help borrowers.

He said even licensed moneylenders had become victims of the group, which beat up the Ah Longs and moneylenders.

"The group claimed to be an organisation which negotiated on behalf of the borrowers," he told a press conference at his office here yesterday.

Also present was a representative of the Malaysia Licensed Moneylenders Association.

Chong added that some of the Ah Longs had even been handcuffed by the group.

He said the group would usually call the Ah Longs to negotiate payment, and when the Ah Longs arrived, their car keys would be seized and the loan sharks taken away.

Chong said the group boasted of having strong connections with the Internal Security and Home Affairs ministries.

"The group would threaten the Ah Longs that if they did not accept the settlement, they would bring the matter up and get them detained under the Emergency Ordinance,? he said.

Chong said the organisation also used the name of the City CID chief Senior Asst Comm II Ku Chin Wah to threaten the Ah Longs.

"If you want to negotiate, it's okay but do not use force and the name of the authorities to frighten people," he said, adding that only police and prison authorities were authorised to use handcuffs.

He said his department had received six reports of Ah Long abuse cases this month.

The Star/Asia News Network