Kuching moneylending company employee charged with harassing borrower

KUCHING (Jan 21): An employee of a moneylender company claimed trial at the Sessions Court here to a charge of harassing a borrower at the latter’s business premises.

The 47-year-old accused pleaded not guilty before Judge Iris Awen Jon after the charge under Section 29B(1) of the Moneylenders Act 1951 was read to him.

The Section provides for imprisonment of up to three years or a fine of between RM50,000 and RM250,000, or both, upon conviction, and whipping for a second offence.

According to the charge, the accused allegedly harassed a 36-year-old female borrower at Galacity KCLD, Jalan Tun Jugah here at about 11.40pm on Oct 3, 2023.

Earlier in the proceedings, deputy public prosecutor Chuah Kai Sheng proposed cash bail of RM10,000 with two local sureties.

However, the accused’s lawyers Daniel Ling and Jackson Ngu applied for the bail to be reduced to RM2,000 with one local surety.

The counsels submitted that the accused had given full cooperation throughout the investigation and remand period, and had never shown any tendency to abscond.

They argued that the accused was not a flight risk as he has a family and employment, and that the offence faced falls under Section 29B of the Moneylenders Act 1951, which does not involve violence or drugs.

The court allowed RM5,000 cash bail with one local surety and ordered the accused to report to the nearest police station once a month.

Case management was fixed for Feb 26, 2026.