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Recently, a woman went to social activist Kuan Chee Heng for help, alleging that she was physically and sexually assaulted by an illegal loan shark
In a Facebook post published yesterday, 13 July, Kuan — or more fondly known as Uncle Kentang — shared that as he was raising funds for a woman who did not have money for her mother’s funeral, he received a call from another woman crying for help.
The woman, who is in her 40s, told Kuan that she borrowed money from a loan shark — commonly known as an ‘ah long’ in Malaysia — after her father’s passing.
She said she needed the money to arrange for her father’s funeral.
Social activist Kuan Chee Heng.
Image via Astro Awani
Kuan shared that the woman took out a loan of RM16,000 on 13 May
“She had paid part of her debt including the interest rates but after the implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO) nationwide, the victim could not work and lost her source of income,” the former policeman told Malaysiakini.
“As a result, she was unable to continue paying the balance of the debt. The victim was abducted and taken to an unknown place before being beaten and stripped naked last week.”
It is learnt that the woman used to work in a furniture shop.
Photo for illustration purposes only.
Image via Newstrack
Kuan said the woman refused to seek help from the police because she is afraid that her photos will be made public
Kuan, who is also Community Policing Malaysia (CPM) president, promised to help the woman as well as make arrangements for a prayer ceremony after the 100 days of her father’s death, a custom of the Chinese community.
“I will try to resolve this case,” he said.
He said the loan shark is “wicked” and warned that there will be karma for their actions.
The activist also urged members of the public not to approach illegal loan sharks to get into unfavourable agreements.
“I call on those who need help to contact us or any charitable agency for help,” he said.
At the time of writing, Kuan’s post about the woman’s predicament has garnered over 4,000 likes and 130 shares.
If you or someone you know may be at risk or has experienced sexual abuse or assault, please reach out to these Malaysian organisations:
1. WOMEN’S AID ORGANISATION (WAO)
Operating hours: 24-hour
Contact: +603-30008858
SMS/WhatsApp: +6018-9888058
2. ALL WOMEN’S ACTION SOCIETY (AWAM)
Operating hours: Weekdays (9.30am – 4.30pm)
Contact: +603-78770224
WhatsApp: +6016-2284221 | +6016-2374221
Email: [email protected]
3. WOMEN’S CENTRE FOR CHANGE PENANG (WCC PENANG)
Operating hours: Weekdays (9am – 5pm)
Contact: +604-2280342 | +604-3988340
WhatsApp: +6011-31084001 | +6016-4390698
Email: [email protected]
4. SARAWAK WOMEN FOR WOMEN SOCIETY (SWWS)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (9am to 5.30pm)
Contact: +6082-422660
SMS/WhatsApp: +6013-8044285
Email: [email protected]
5. SABAH WOMEN’S ACTION-RESOURCE GROUP (SAWO)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (9am to 2pm)
Contact: +6088-280200
Email: [email protected]
6. PROTECT AND SAVE THE CHILDREN (PS THE CHILDREN)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (8.30am to 5.30pm)
Contact: +6016-2273065 | +6016-7213065
WhatsApp: +6016-7213065
Email: [email protected]
7. INTERNET WATCH FOUNDATION (IWF)
Anonymously and confidentially report child sexual abuse content and non-photographic child sexual abuse images with IWF’s Reporting Portal.