Widow claims harassment over RM800,000 debts allegedly owed by late husband

KUCHING (Feb 13): A 48-year-old widow has claimed she is being harassed to settle debts exceeding RM800,000, which were allegedly incurred by her late husband, said Milton Foo.

The Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) public complaint bureau chief said the mother of three now fears for her children’s safety and has not returned home as individuals claiming to be creditors continue to approach her.

“For her children’s safety, she is now staying at a relative’s place. Feeling threatened, she has already lodged a police report,” he told a news conference at the SUPP headquarters here on Friday.

The woman, from Simunjan, who requested anonymity and was present at the press conference, said her husband had been an entrepreneur involved in a logistics business.

“My husband passed away just last month. I could not be more shocked to be told that he borrowed so much money from different groups of people.

“I had no clue about this until three groups of people approached me, asking me to pay the enormous amounts. One of the groups even asked in a threatening tone,” she said.

According to her, two groups approached her earlier this month with documents they claimed were proof of loans.

“One of the groups said my husband owed them RM470,000, with proof, while the other showed me three cheques worth RM20,000 each bearing my husband’s signatures,” she said.

She added that another group, claiming to be from Bintulu, sent her a text message stating that her husband owed them RM300,000, but did not provide any documentary proof.

“The group that expected me to pay back RM470,000 already took away my vehicles, after I told them I had no money. I am a widow, I do not know which way to turn now,” she added.

Left helpless, she sought assistance from Foo, who advised the groups, believed to be moneylenders, to opt for legal means to solve the matter.

Foo said resorting to threats does not help, as said moneylenders cannot simply claim an outstanding amount and expect the victim to settle.

“If the debts are legitimate, the groups should issue a legal notice and go through the legal processes, seek closure order of the late husband’s company and proceed with the necessary action instead of issuing threats and forcibly taking away the vehicles from her,” he said.