KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: The first month of the year has yet to end but 50 cases of Ah Long-related (loanshark) problems have been reported to the MCA Public Services and Complaints Department.

Its head, Datuk Michael Chong, said one of the cases involved a 50-year-old unemployed man who fled his home early this month, leaving his three sons and a daughter, aged between 11 and 21, to settle an undisclosed amount he owed an Ah Long.

"The man even told an Ah Long where his eldest daughter worked and where his sons were studying. What kind of father will do such a thing?" Chong said yesterday.

Two of the man's sons came to seek Chong's help on Jan 23 after a visit by the Ah Long to their house.

"The eldest girl was so scared of the Ah Long that she quit her job," said Chong, adding that the man's wife was also suffering from a heart ailment.

Another case involved an Ah Long who denied receiving payment two months ago -- even when it was done with Chong as a witness.

The victim in this case was a woman in her 50s, who helped her 28-year-old son to settle his debts.