PETALING JAYA: Groups and individuals have implored on the authorities to act on the rampant advertising by unlicensed moneylenders in public areas and on the Internet.

Advertisements in the form of pamphlets and cards in mail boxes and posters pasted onto public property such as bus stops and telephone kiosks have made borrowings from Ah Long easy for those desperate for quick cash.

These loan sharks are moving into cyberspace, too, advertising their websites in newspapers.

Mobile telephone numbers would be provided on the websites, but not fixed lines.

To apply for a loan, a person only needs to fill in an electronic form and press “send”. Referral bonuses are also available.

Fomca secretary-general Muhd Sha’ani Abdullah wants local councils and the police to be more alert about the effects these advertisements and online services had on society.

“Local councils and other public property owners should take the initiative to lodge police reports on this public nuisance,” he said.

However, Muhd Sha’ani said it was unfortunate that there was lack of regulations and enforcement against these advertisements besides the basic requirements for billboards, banners and buntings display.

“It is also urgent for police and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to take action for wrongful use of telephone, mobile and Internet services,” he said.

MCA Public Services and Complaints Department chief Datuk Michael Chong said it was difficult to tell which of those advertised were licensed moneylenders.

“It’s as if everybody who lends money now is an Ah Long,” he said.

“There should be restrictions such as no advertising on bus stops. Don’t renew the licences of those who advertise all over the place,” he added.

Chong also said that the Government should license more moneylenders so that fewer people would go to loan sharks.

“The licensed moneylenders will be governed by the law and be answerable to it.”

MIC Youth coordinator T. Mohan said there should be commitment and determination from all government agencies as well as private organisations to deal with the problem.

Despite numerous media reports, he said no concrete action had been taken.

“It is the poor borrowers who are left at the mercy of these inhumane people. When a tragedy strikes, everyone will jump in to say their piece,” he said.

Mohan recalled that “all kinds of proposals and ideas were mooted and debated” when three children were forced to consume rat poison “but hardly anything was implemented”.

He hoped the police would round up the loan sharks who distributed calling cards and advertised their services on bus stops, telephone booths and street corners.