Associations: Difficult to get back study loans

VARIOUS Chinese guilds and associations admitted to facing difficulty in getting back study loans that they extended to children of their members, reported China Press.

Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Hua Zong) president Tan Sri Pheng Yin Huah said about 30% failed to pay back to its Carlsberg Hua Zong Education Fund, totalling between RM500,000 and RM600,000.

He said some of the borrowers had even moved away, which made it hard for the federation to trace or contact them.

“Those who face financial difficulties can discuss the matter with Hua Zong instead of running away,” Pheng said.

“However, there are also those who repay their loans in lump sums and even donate extra money to the fund.”

While the federation currently has no plans to take legal action against the errant borrowers, he warned that this did not mean that it would not do so in the future.

On Sunday, the daily interviewed the Federation of Kwong Siew Association president Ho Sai Chong, who was quoted as saying that it too faced the same predicament.

So bad is the situation that the association is considering sending them legal letters.

Federation of Heng Ann Association president Datuk Ong Seng Khek said about 90% of its borrowers repaid their study loans.

> Guang Ming Daily reported that veteran Malaysian artiste Cheng Kam Cheong would be holding two more farewell concerts in Hong Kong before he retires.

Cheng, who is famous for his Cantonese hits, held six concerts in Hong Kong last week.

The 76-year-old singer said he was pleased to see friends like Hong Kong artistes Michelle Yim Wai-ling and Alice Fung support him at the concerts.

Cheng also thanked Fung for helping expand his singing career in Hong Kong some 50 years ago.