ISKANDAR PUTERI: A man and his family have disappeared after failing to settle a RM200,000 loan shark debt, his father said today.
The senior citizen, only known as Khoo, 63, said he only realised their disappearance after returning from hospital to his house in Taman Bukit Indah here last October.
"I was warded for 10 months after undergoing intestinal surgery at Sultanah Aminah Hospital in Johor Baru.
"When I arrived home, my son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren, aged 2 and 4 years old, who had been living with me, were no longer there.
"Some of their belongings and clothes were also gone.
"At first, I was confused and didn't know what had happened," he said during a press conference at the Perling state assemblyman's office in Taman Perling here.
Khoo, who previously worked as a taxi driver, said several loan sharks came to his house a few days later.
The loan sharks claimed that the son had borrowed money and demanded that Khoo settle the total debt amounting to more than RM200,000.
"There were also other loan sharks who called, demanding that I pay off my son's debt.
"All of them threatened to damage my car and house if I didn't pay," he said.
Khoo lodged a police report on Dec 31.
According to him, his 27-year-old son previously worked at an eatery in Singapore, where he had also borrowed money from loan sharks.
"Loan sharks there also harassed and troubled him at his workplace, forcing his employer to fire him," he said.
"My wife, who works as a restaurant waitress in Singapore, is afraid to return home because of the loan sharks' threats.
"I'm also worried that the loan sharks might damage my neighbour's property as well."
"I haven't worked for over a year due to my illness and have been surviving on the kindness of my wife, neighbours and friends who provide food and money," he said.
Johor DAP assistant secretary Ng Siam Luang said Khoo's son must take responsibility and return to settle all the loan shark debts.
"At the same time, Khoo also needs care as he is no longer working and is unwell," said Ng, who is also special representative for Iskandar Puteri member of parliament Liew Chin Tong.