My Longkang

MCA Public Services and Complaint Department head Datuk Michael Chong yesterday expressed frustration for being criticized by Seputeh MP, Teresa Kok, over the way his department handles Ah Long cases.

Chong said Kok should not have made those statements to the media without fully understanding the situation.

“It is not my department’s place to refer Ah Long cases to the police on the borrowers’ behalf,” said Chong.

“The borrowers who come to seek my department’s help do not want to lodge reports against the Ah Longs. They are keen to pay off their debts but as the interest rates are too high, they see me so that I can negotiate with the Ah Longs to reduce their payments,” said Chong, adding that there are also those who ask for the payment duration to be extended.

“We will never go against their wishes in making police reports as it may spell trouble — we do not want that to happen. However, we will only get the police to take action if the borrowers are threatened.”

Yours truly here acknowledges the fine work that Datuk Michael Chong has done through the MCA Public Services and Complaint Department, much of it unreported through the press. I understand that Seputeh MP, Teresa Kok is just doing her job but…in this particular case, it is my humble opinion she is being naive.