'I cannot take it anymore': Ipoh couple distressed as missing son borrows from loan sharks

A couple in Malaysia have been dealing with arson threats and paint splashed at their home in Ipoh, Perak, over an unpaid loan of RM15,000 (S$4,720), The Star reported on Wednesday (Aug 26).

But the debt doesn't belong to them — it's allegedly accrued by their son, who has reportedly gone missing.

Chai Yoke Chun, 56, said that her 27-year-old son took out a loan of RM1,000 on Aug 12, but only received RM600 due to deductions.

He was then told to repay the loan, which has now allegedly ballooned to RM15,000.

Unable to make payment, Chai's family began receiving threats from loan sharks.

"On Aug 19, I received a message from a man who introduced himself as Adi and claimed that my son had not paid off the loan," Chai, a mother of three, told Utusan Malaysia.

"I told him I couldn't pay the money, and my son doesn't live with us."

Last Friday (Aug 21), another man was seen at Chai's home at around 5am, Kosmo! reported.

Chai's 65-year-old husband saw the man and cried, and the man fled in a vehicle.

The family also found red paint stains on the ground and rear window of their car, as well as two cans of red paint.

They later received a call from Adi, who allegedly threatened to lock the family in their home, splash paint on the premises and burn both them and their home if payment wasn't made, Chai and her husband told a press conference, The Star reported.

Chai also revealed that this is not the first time their youngest has borrowed from loan sharks.

Their eldest son apparently paid off a RM7,000 loan the youngest son had accumulated.

"Since the Chinese New Year, he has refused to return home," Chai said of their youngest son, according to Kosmo!

"When I called him and asked about the loan, he just said he couldn't afford to pay."

"I cannot take it anymore. We helped him before, but he didn't listen," The Star quoted her as saying.

They have since lodged a police report and installed CCTV cameras at their home.

Their eldest son has also returned from Singapore to help stand guard at night.

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khooyihang@asiaone.com